Area watcher for wireless network
First Claim
1. A subscriber feature for a wireless system to allow a third party to send a text message to a mobile subscriber relative to a geographic area, said system comprising:
- a privacy module configured to allow transmission of presence information relating to a particular wireless device at least one of entering and exiting at least one geographic area relating to a third party, wherein location information characterizing a location of said particular wireless device is blocked from transmission to the third party; and
a text message transmitter configured to transmit a text message from said third party to said particular wireless device in response to receipt of said presence information relating to said particular wireless device.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Dynamic and current information is provided regarding a wireless device'"'"'s entry into or exit from a geographically defined “watched” area. An area watcher application monitors preconfigured wireless devices entry/exit into preconfigured watched areas. The watched areas may watch for any/all subscribers, or for select, preconfigured subscribers listed in an appropriate table or database. Provision of location information is triggered by a wireless subscriber'"'"'s entry, exit or changing between designated ‘watched’ areas or locations. Continuous polling may be used, or the mobile device itself or network element may be triggered to push its own location upon notification of its entry into or out of watched areas from an area watcher. A third party may be notified when a wireless user enters an area surrounding their retail store, and be sent a message such as “sale inside”, or “Your rentals are overdue”, on their wireless device.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A subscriber feature for a wireless system to allow a third party to send a text message to a mobile subscriber relative to a geographic area, said system comprising:
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a privacy module configured to allow transmission of presence information relating to a particular wireless device at least one of entering and exiting at least one geographic area relating to a third party, wherein location information characterizing a location of said particular wireless device is blocked from transmission to the third party; and a text message transmitter configured to transmit a text message from said third party to said particular wireless device in response to receipt of said presence information relating to said particular wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing a message to a wireless device upon at least one of entering and exiting a pre-defined geographic area, said method comprising:
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establishing a watched geographic area; monitoring location information regarding a given wireless device with respect to said watched geographic area; transmitting presence information relating to said given wireless device at least one of entering and exiting said watched geographic area to a third party, wherein location information related to said given wireless device is blocked from transmission to the third party; and triggering a text message from said third party to said given wireless device in response to receipt of said presence information relating said given wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for providing a message from a third party to a wireless device upon at least one of entering and exiting a pre-defined geographic area, comprising:
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means for establishing a watched geographic area; means for monitoring location information regarding a given wireless device with respect to said watched geographic area; means for transmitting presence information relating to said given wireless device at least one of entering and exiting said watched geographic area to a third party, wherein location information of said given wireless device is blocked from transmission to the third party; and means for triggering a text message from said third party to said given wireless device in response to receipt of said presence information relating to said given wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification