Area watcher for wireless network

• US 20040192337A1
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Hines, Gordon John, Tapia, Mario G., Cousins, Will
• Granted Patent: US 7,321,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/24 Reselection being triggered by specific parameters
• 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 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

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.

Claims

1. A subscriber feature for a wireless system, comprising:

a database associating a particular wireless device with at least one geographic area; and

an area watcher to output a trigger message upon said particular wireless device'"'"'s entry into or exit from said at least one geographic area.

2. The subscriber feature for a wireless system according to claim 1, wherein:

said geographic area is defined by a zip code.

3. The subscriber feature for a wireless system according to claim 1, wherein:

said geographic area is defined by boundaries of the reach of a particular cell site.

4. The subscriber feature for a wireless system according to claim 1, wherein:

said geographic area is defined by proximity to a particular retail establishment.

5. A method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area, comprising:

establishing a watched geographic area;

monitoring location information regarding wireless devices; and

triggering an area watch message upon detection of a particular wireless device'"'"'s entry into said watched geographic area.

6. The method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 5, wherein:

said triggered area watch message relates to unsolicited retail information.

7. The method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 5, further comprising:

associating at least one particular wireless device with said established, watched geographic area.

8. The method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 5, wherein:

said monitoring comprises polling of location information regarding wireless users.

9. The method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 5, wherein

said monitoring comprises a location push by said wireless device.

10. The method of providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 5, wherein:

said monitoring comprises a location push by a wireless carrier network servicing said wireless device.

11. Apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area, comprising:

means for establishing a watched geographic area;

means for monitoring location information regarding wireless devices; and

means for triggering an area watch message upon detection of a particular wireless device'"'"'s entry into said watched geographic area.

12. The apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 11, wherein:

said triggered area watch message relates to unsolicited retail information.

13. The apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 11, further comprising:

means for associating at least one particular wireless device with said established, watched geographic area.

14. The apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 11, wherein:

said means for monitoring polls location information regarding wireless users.

15. The apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 11, wherein

said monitoring comprises a location push by said wireless device.

16. The apparatus for providing a message to a wireless device upon their entry or exit from a pre-defined geographic area according to claim 11, wherein:

said monitoring comprises a location push by a wireless carrier network servicing said wireless device.