Methods and systems for location-based management of wireless devices

• US 8,792,854 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2013
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Craine, Ari J., Ruckart, John P.
• Primary Examiner(s): FARAGALLA, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/960,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20130324073A1
• Time in Patent Office: 356 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4566, 455/421, 455/422.1, 455/404.2, 455/411
• US Class Current: 455/404.2
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/105 Radio frequency identification data [RFID]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/1004 Alarm systems characterised by the type of sensor, e.g. current sensing means using door lock sensors B60R25/1001
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0261 System arrangements wherein the object is to detect trespassing over a fixed physical boundary, e.g. the end of a garden
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/22 responsive to presence or absence of persons
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

Method and apparatus are for monitoring the location of a wireless device and taking supervisory action in response to that location. Location information obtained from a user'"'"'s wireless device, or otherwise concerning the present location of the user, is monitored and compared with one or more locations previously approved for that user. An exception is noted if the user reaches a non-approved location, or fails to timely arrive at an approved destination. In response to an exception, supervisory action is taken which may include contacting the wireless device, partially or completely disabling further service of that device, or contacting another person.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving location information identifying a first geographic location of a wireless device;

receiving information identifying a time of departure from the first geographic location by the wireless device;

determining, by a processor, whether the wireless device arrives at one of multiple second expected geographic locations within a predetermined amount of time after the time of departure from the first geographic location;

responsive to determining that the wireless device does not arrive at one of the multiple second expected geographic locations within the predetermined amount of time sending, by the processor, an instruction to take supervisory action, wherein the supervisory action includes disabling a function of the wireless device so that the wireless device is not able to perform the function.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory action further includes sending a message to at least one other device among a plurality of other devices based upon a predetermined hierarchy of contact addresses of the plurality of other devices.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the supervisory action further includes determining whether predetermined conditions associated with a user of the wireless device are met.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the supervisory action further includes, responsive to determining that the predetermined conditions are met, sending a message to an emergency call center.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the message that is sent to the emergency call center includes last-available location information identifying a last-known geographic location of the wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from a device associated with the first location.

8. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory having stored thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving location information identifying a first geographic location of a wireless device;

receiving information identifying a time of departure from the first geographic location by the wireless device;

determining whether the wireless device arrives at one of multiple second expected geographic locations within a predetermined amount of time after the time of departure from the first geographic location; and

responsive to determining that the wireless device does not arrive at one of the multiple second expected geographic locations within the predetermined amount of time, sending an instruction to take supervisory action, wherein the supervisory action includes disabling a function of the wireless device so that the wireless device is not able to perform the function.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the supervisory action further includes sending a message to at least one other device among a plurality of other devices based upon a predetermined hierarchy of contact addresses of the plurality of other devices.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the supervisory action further includes determining whether predetermined conditions associated with a user of the wireless device are met.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the supervisory action further includes, responsive to determining that the predetermined conditions are met, sending a message to an emergency call center.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the message that is sent to the emergency call center includes last-available location information identifying a last-known geographic location of the wireless device.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from the wireless device.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from a device associated with the first location.

15. A non-transitory computer readable storage device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving location information identifying a first geographic location of the wireless device;

receiving information identifying a time of departure from the first geographic location by the wireless device;

determining whether the wireless device arrives at one of multiple second expected geographic locations within a predetermined amount of time after the time of departure from the first geographic location;

responsive to determining that the wireless device does not arrive at one of the multiple second expected geographic locations within the predetermined amount of time, sending an instruction to take supervisory action, wherein the supervisory action includes disabling a function of the wireless device so that the wireless device is not able to perform the function.

16. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the supervisory action further includes sending a message to at least one other device among a plurality of other devices based upon a predetermined hierarchy of contact addresses of the plurality of other devices.

17. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the supervisory action further includes:

determining whether predetermined conditions associated with a user of the wireless device are met; and

responsive to determining that the predetermined conditions are met, sending a message to an emergency call center.

18. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the message that is sent to the emergency call center includes last-available location information identifying a last-known geographic location of the wireless device.

19. The non-transitory computer readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from the wireless device.

20. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 15, wherein the information identifying the time of departure from the first geographic location is received from a device associated with the first location.