Identity blocking service from a wireless service provider

• US 8,165,568 B2
• Filed: 02/22/2011
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moton, Jr., Robert T., Enzmann, Mark J., Zellner, Samuel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): MILLER, BRANDON J
• Application Number:
  US13/031,721
• Publication Number:
  US 20110143708A1
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.1, 455418-420, 4554561-4566, 4554041-4042, 455/411, 455/412.1
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• 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 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/23 for mobile advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 between corresponding nodes
• 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to at least:

obtain an identity of a user associated with a wireless communication device, the identity including a name of the user;

obtain first information about a location of the wireless communication device; and

transfer the first information about the location of the wireless communication device to a third party without disclosing the identity of the user, including the name of the user, to the third party, if second information is received from the user, the second information indicating user authorization for the location to be shared with the third party.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to obtain the first information about the location of the wireless communication device at pre-determined time intervals.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, further cause the processor to transfer the first information about the location of the wireless communication device at pre-determined time intervals.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive, from the third party, location-specific information intended for the user.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the location-specific information in response to receiving user permission.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to obtain the first information, transmit the first information, and receive the location-specific information from the third party, without prompting for user permission.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, the second information relating to the identity of the user.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to request the second information of the user.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the second information by way of an Internet.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 7, wherein the instructions cause the processor to charge a fee to the user for blocking the identity of the user from being disclosed to the third party.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

monitor movement of the wireless communication device; and

send an indication to the third party in response to the user having a certain motion, the indication indicating that the wireless communication device has the certain motion.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to charge a fee to the third party for the first information about the first location of the wireless communication device.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to disclose the identity of the user to an emergency service provider in response to the user indicating need for the emergency service.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an unblock user instruction to unblock disclosure of the identity of the user to the third party.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive the unblock instruction by way of an Internet.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to charge a user fee for blocking the identity of the user from being disclosed to the third party.

17. A network device, for providing a feature blocking service, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory unit storing computer-readable instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to;

obtain an identity of a user associated with a wireless communication device, the identity including a name of the user;

obtain first information about a location of the wireless communication device; and

transfer the first information about the location of the wireless communication device to a third party without disclosing the identity of the user, including the name of the user, to the third party, if second information is received from the user, the second information indicating user authorization for the location to be shared with the third party.

18. The network device of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to charge a user fee for blocking the identity of the user from being disclosed to the third party.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to at least:

obtain an identity of a user associated with a wireless communication device, the identity including a name of the user;

obtain first information about a location of the wireless communication device;

transfer the first information about the location of the wireless communication device to a third party without disclosing the identity of the user, including the name of the user, to the third party, if second information is received from the user; and

charge a user fee for blocking the identity of the user from being disclosed to the third party.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to disclose the identity of the user to an emergency service provider in response to receiving a user indication of a need for the emergency service.