Concepts for location-based call control

• US 9,961,195 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2017
• Issued: 05/01/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MBTE Sweden AB
• Original Assignee: MBTE Sweden AB
• Inventors: Meriaz, Yoram, Meriaz, Ran, Tkachman, Alex
• Primary Examiner(s): DOAN, KIET M
• Application Number:
  US15/420,188
• Publication Number:
  US 20170142254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 455 Days
• Field of Search: 4554143, 455413, 4554563, 455445, 455415, 455423, 4554042, 379 9301, 37926509, 379352, 3792651, 37920102, 3794141, 379411
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1046 Call controllers; Call servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/156 On-line status dependent routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13541 routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/331 Abbreviated dialing
• 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 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for location-based call control. In one embodiment, call control rules for an outbound call can be determined/identified based on the location of the mobile device. The call control rules direct the outbound call to different numbers and/or different applications.

Claims

1. A method for call control on a mobile device, the method comprising:

determining whether an outbound number of an outbound call for a mobile device is one of a plurality of target numbers;

responsive to determining that the outbound number of the outbound call for the mobile device is one of the plurality of target numbers, determining whether the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications; and

responsive to determining that the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications;

(a) identifying one or more call control rules associated with the outbound number, wherein the one or more call controls rules indicate one or more actions for execution by the mobile device,

(b) providing a notification to the mobile device to execute the one or more actions indicated by the one or more call control rules in lieu of establishing the outbound call for the mobile device, and

(c) not instructing and not providing the outbound phone number to (i) a server to establish the outbound call for the mobile device or (ii) a wireless network to establish the outbound call for the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the outbound number is a shortened number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more call control rules are based at least in part on at least one of a calendar date on which the outbound number is received, a time of day at which the outbound number is received, previous calls to the outbound number via the mobile device, one or more networks with which the mobile device is in communication therewith.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a web-based call destination.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a telephone network destination.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises launching an application to be displayed via the mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising, responsive to determining that the outbound number is not one of the plurality of target numbers, allowing the outbound number to follow normal call operation.

8. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, the at least one memory and the program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

determine whether an outbound number of an outbound call for a mobile device is one of a plurality of target numbers;

responsive to determining that the outbound number of the outbound call for the mobile device is one of the plurality of target numbers, determining whether the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications; and

responsive to determining that the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications;

(a) identify one or more call control rules associated with the outbound number, wherein the one or more call controls rules indicate one or more actions for execution by the mobile device,

(b) provide a notification to the mobile device to execute the one or more actions indicated by the one or more call control rules in lieu of establishing the outbound call for the mobile device, and

(c) not instruct and not provide the outbound phone number to (i) a server to establish the outbound call for the mobile device or (ii) a wireless network to establish the outbound call for the mobile device.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the outbound number is a shortened number.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more call control rules are based at least in part on at least one of a calendar date on which the outbound number is received, a time of day at which the outbound number is received, previous calls to the outbound number via the mobile device, one or more networks with which the mobile device is in communication therewith.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a web-based call destination.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a telephone network destination.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises launching an application to be displayed via the mobile device.

14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least one memory and the program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to, responsive to determining that the outbound number is not one of the plurality of target numbers, allow the outbound number to follow normal call operation.

15. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable program code portions comprising:

an executable portion configured to determine whether an outbound number of an outbound call for a mobile device is one of a plurality of target numbers;

an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining that the outbound number of the outbound call for the mobile device is one of the plurality of target numbers, determine determining whether the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications; and

an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining that the mobile device is enabled for internet-based communications;

(a) identify one or more call control rules associated with the outbound number, wherein the one or more call controls rules indicate one or more actions for execution by the mobile device,

(b) provide a notification to the mobile device to execute the one or more actions indicated by the one or more call control rules in lieu of establishing the outbound call for the mobile device, and

(c) not instruct and not provide the outbound phone number to (i a server to establish the outbound call for the mobile device or (ii) a wireless network to establish the outbound call for the mobile device.

16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the outbound number is a shortened number.

17. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the one or more call control rules are based at least in part on at least one of a calendar date on which the outbound number is received, a time of day at which the outbound number is received, previous calls to the outbound number via the mobile device, one or more networks with which the mobile device is in communication therewith.

18. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a web-based call destination.

19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the one or more call control rules indicate that at least one of the one or more actions to be executed pertains to a telephone network destination.

20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more actions comprises launching an application to be displayed via the mobile device.

21. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising an executable portion configured to, responsive to determining that the outbound number is not one of the plurality of target numbers, allow the outbound number to follow normal call operation.