System and method for using location information to execute an action

• US 20060099966A1
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Enzmann, Mark J., Moton, Robert T. Jr., Zellner, Samuel N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,593,712 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system and method is provided for using location information associated with wireless devices. The system includes a wireless device, a location system, and a feature server. The wireless device includes any wireless apparatus having wireless communications capabilities. The location system can generate location information pinpointing the location of the wireless device. The feature server can use the location information to determine whether to execute an action in accordance with subscriber rules. A large number of applications may be implemented to execute the action via a number of communication channels, including without limitation, a wireless communications network, a computer network, and a public switched telephone system, for example.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring a transit state of an item, the method comprising the steps of:

defining subscriber rules to take an action based upon the item'"'"'s location;

determining the item'"'"'s location; and

executing the action in accordance with the subscriber rules responsive to the item'"'"'s location satisfying the subscriber rules.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is to report the status.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is to provide an estimated time of arrival.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is to dispatch a truck for pick up.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is to monitor a speed at which the package is moving.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is to produce a log documenting the delivery.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

notifying a person when the delivery is not on schedule.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the action is executed via a network.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

sending an e-mail to execute the action.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

making a telephone call to execute the action.