Subscriber Selective, Area-based Service Control

• US 20090170528A1
• Filed: 12/27/2007
• Published: 07/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skyhook Holding, Inc. (Liberty Broadband Corp.)
• Original Assignee: TruePosition Incorporated
• Inventors: Ward, Matthew L., Bull, Jeffrey F.
• Granted Patent: US 8,463,297 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.200
• 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 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A method for use in controlling a mobile device'"'"'s access to one or more wireless communications networks (WCNs) with an overlaid wireless location system (WLS) includes monitoring a set of one or more predefined signaling links of at least one WCN, and detecting an event associated with the mobile device. Next, using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS, the system determines that the mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone. Next, using a high-accuracy location function of the WLS, the system determines a precise geographic location of the mobile device and based thereon confirms that the mobile device is within the quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around the quiet zone. Finally, the mobile device'"'"'s access to the wireless communications network is limited, e.g., according to a pre-defined rule established by the carrier. This approach allows finer definition of the fenced area while also minimizing the load on the high-accuracy location function. The proximity threshold is preferably based on the accuracy of the underlying location technology.

Claims

1. A method for use in controlling a mobile device'"'"'s access to one or more wireless communications networks (WCNs) with an overlaid wireless location system (WLS), comprising:

monitoring a set of one or more predefined signaling links of at least one WCN;

detecting an event associated with said mobile device;

using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS, determining that said mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone;

using a high-accuracy location function of the WLS, determining a precise geographic location of said mobile device and based thereon confirming that said mobile device is within said quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around said quiet zone; and

limiting the mobile device'"'"'s access to the wireless communications network.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of ambiguity is defined based on a defined uncertainty around said quiet zone.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said area of ambiguity is defined in real time based on the location technology and location calculation.

4. A method as recited in claim 3 wherein said area of ambiguity and area of interest are defined such that mobile devices within the quiet zone cannot communicate with WCN antennae outside the area of interest.

5. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of ambiguity is determined as a function of the expected accuracy of the high-accuracy location function used to determine the precise geographic location of said mobile device.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of ambiguity is static.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of ambiguity is dynamic.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said limiting comprises denial of service.

9. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said limiting comprises allowing communication but with lawful-intercept recording.

10. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said limiting comprises establishment of a three-way call.

11. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said limiting comprises re-routing of the call to a message center.

12. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of interest is contained within a pre-defined geo-fence boundary, and wherein said quiet zone is within said area of interest.

13. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that said mobile device is heading toward said area or interest.

14. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that said mobile device is in proximity to said quiet zone.

15. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that said mobile device is above said quiet zone within a defined range of altitudes.

16. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein information about the speed, heading and proximity to the quiet zone of the mobile device is employed to prioritize use of said high-accuracy location function.

17. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of adjoining cells.

18. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of sectors of adjoining cells.

19. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of adjoining wireless communications networks.

20. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said event comprises a call origination event.

21. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said event comprises a call termination event.

22. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said event relates to a voice call.

23. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said event relates to a short message service (SMS) call.

24. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said event relates to a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data session.

25. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said monitoring comprises the use of a method employing a mapping of a serving cell, serving sector, or a combination of serving cell, sector and handover candidate measurements.

26. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said use of a high-accuracy location function comprises the use of plural location measuring units (LMUs) and uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) algorithms.

27. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising classifying the event as one of a mobile-originated (MO) or mobile-terminated (MT) voice or short message service (SMS) call;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function before a call setup operation is performed;

determining that the mobile device is not within the quiet zone;

permitting the call setup operation to be completed and thus allowing the mobile device to begin the call;

periodically invoking a mid-call location function;

determining by the mid-call location function that the mobile device has moved into the quiet zone; and

terminating the call.

28. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that the mobile device is engaged in a voice or data call and has entered the quiet zone;

determining that the mobile device is identified on a list of devices for which calls within the quiet zone are to be denied; and

terminating the call.

29. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that periodic registration is enabled;

classifying the event as a periodic registration event for an idle mode device;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is within the quiet zone;

initiating call handling via an intelligent network associated with the WCN to indicate that, for incoming voice, SMS, or data session calls, the mobile device is unavailable.

30. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising determining that periodic registration is not enabled;

polling the mobile device;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is within the quiet zone;

initiating call handling via an intelligent network associated with the WCN to indicate that, for incoming voice, SMS, or data session calls, the mobile device is unavailable.

31. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein a wireless intelligent networking (WIN) system is employed to detect said event and to limit the mobile device'"'"'s access to the WCN.

32. A method as recited in claim 31 wherein the WCN comprises a Global System for Mobile (GSM) radio access network.

33. A method as recited in claim 31 wherein the WIN comprises a Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) network.

34. A method as recited in claim 33 wherein the CAMEL network employs triggers included in CAMEL subscription information (CSI) associated with the mobile device.

35. A method as recited in claim 34 wherein said CSI, including said triggers, are stored in at least one of a home location register (HLR) and a visitor location register (VLR).

36. A method as recited in claim 34 wherein said triggers include a first subset of triggers and a second subset of triggers, wherein said first subset of triggers are downloaded from a controller or resident on a mobile switching center (MSC) or service switching point (SSP) and are preemptively applied and concatenated with said second subset of triggers, and wherein said second subset of triggers are downloaded from the HLR.

37. A method as recited in claim 36 wherein the first subset of triggers are addressed to a first service control point (SCP) address acting as the controller.

38. A method as recited in claim 36 wherein the first trigger set are activated before any triggers comprising the second trigger set.

39. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the step of using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS to determine that said mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone comprises using the low-accuracy location function to determine that said mobile device is within one of a plurality of defined quiet zones;

and wherein the step of using the high-accuracy location function to determine a precise geographic location of said mobile device and based thereon confirming that said mobile device is within said quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around said quiet zone comprises using the high-accuracy location function to confirm that said mobile device is within one of said plurality of defined quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around one of said plurality of defined quiet zones.

40. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein the method is used to control access to a plurality of WCNs having coverage areas that include said area of interest and quiet zone.

41. A method as recited in claim 40 wherein said plurality of WCNs employ at least two different air interfaces to communicate with mobile devices.

42. A system for use in controlling a mobile device'"'"'s access to one or more wireless communications networks (WCNs) with an overlaid wireless location system (WLS), comprising:

a link monitoring system (LMS) configured to monitor a set of one or more predefined signaling links of at least one WCN, and to detect an event associated with said mobile device;

means for using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS to determine that said mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone;

means for using a high-accuracy location function of the WLS to determine a precise geographic location of said mobile device and based thereon to confirm that said mobile device is within said quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around said quiet zone; and

means for limiting the mobile device'"'"'s access to the wireless communications network.

43. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of ambiguity is defined based on a defined uncertainty around said quiet zone.

44. A system as recited in claim 43 wherein said area of ambiguity is defined in real time based on the location technology and location calculation.

45. A system as recited in claim 44 wherein said area of ambiguity and area of interest are defined such that mobile devices within the quiet zone cannot communicate with WCN antennae outside the area of interest.

46. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of ambiguity is determined as a function of the expected accuracy of the high-accuracy location function used to determine the precise geographic location of said mobile device.

47. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of ambiguity is static.

48. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of ambiguity is dynamic.

49. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said limiting comprises denial of service.

50. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said limiting comprises allowing communication but with lawful-intercept recording.

51. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said limiting comprises establishment of a three-way call.

52. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said limiting comprises re-routing of the call to a message center.

53. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of interest is contained within a pre-defined geo-fence boundary, and wherein said quiet zone is within said area of interest.

54. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that said mobile device is heading toward said area or interest.

55. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that said mobile device is in proximity to said quiet zone.

56. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that said mobile device is above said quiet zone within a defined range of altitudes.

57. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein information about the speed, heading and proximity to the quiet zone of the mobile device is employed to prioritize use of said high-accuracy location function.

58. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of adjoining cells.

59. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of sectors of adjoining cells.

60. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said area of interest is defined as comprising subsections of adjoining wireless communications networks.

61. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said event comprises a call origination event.

62. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said event comprises a call termination event.

63. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said event relates to a voice call.

64. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said event relates to a short message service (SMS) call.

65. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said event relates to a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) data session.

66. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said monitoring comprises the use of a system employing a mapping of a serving cell, serving sector, or a combination of serving cell, sector and handover candidate measurements.

67. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein said use of a high-accuracy location function comprises the use of plural location measuring units (LMUs) and uplink time difference of arrival (U-TDOA) algorithms.

68. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for classifying the event as one of a mobile-originated (MO) or mobile-terminated (MT) voice or short message service (SMS) call;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function before a call setup operation is performed;

determining that the mobile device is not within the quiet zone;

permitting the call setup operation to be completed and thus allowing the mobile device to begin the call;

periodically invoking a mid-call location function;

determining by the mid-call location function that the mobile device has moved into the quiet zone; and

terminating the call.

69. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that the mobile device is engaged in a voice or data call and has entered the quiet zone;

determining that the mobile device is identified on a list of devices for which calls within the quiet zone are to be denied; and

terminating the call.

70. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that periodic registration is enabled;

classifying the event as a periodic registration event for an idle mode device;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is within the quiet zone;

initiating call handling via an intelligent network associated with the WCN to indicate that, for incoming voice, SMS, or data session calls, the mobile device is unavailable.

71. A system as recited in claim 42, further comprising means for determining that periodic registration is not enabled;

polling the mobile device;

determining that the mobile device is within said area of interest using the low accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is potentially in the quiet zone;

invoking the high accuracy location function;

determining that the mobile device is within the quiet zone;

initiating call handling via an intelligent network associated with the WCN to indicate that, for incoming voice, SMS, or data session calls, the mobile device is unavailable.

72. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein a wireless intelligent networking (WIN) system is employed to detect said event and to limit the mobile device'"'"'s access to the WCN.

73. A system as recited in claim 72 wherein the WCN comprises a Global System for Mobile (GSM) radio access network.

74. A system as recited in claim 72 wherein the WIN comprises a Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) network.

75. A system as recited in claim 74 wherein the CAMEL network employs triggers included in CAMEL subscription information (CSI) associated with the mobile device.

76. A system as recited in claim 75 wherein said CSI, including said triggers, are stored in at least one of a home location register (HLR) and a visitor location register (VLR).

77. A system as recited in claim 75 wherein said triggers include a first subset of triggers and a second subset of triggers, wherein said first subset of triggers are downloaded from a controller or resident on a mobile switching center (MSC) or service switching point (SSP) and are preemptively applied and concatenated with said second subset of triggers, and wherein said second subset of triggers are downloaded from the HLR.

78. A system as recited in claim 77 wherein the first subset of triggers are addressed to a first service control point (SCP) address acting as the controller.

79. A system as recited in claim 77 wherein the first trigger set are activated before any triggers comprising the second trigger set.

80. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein the means for using a low-accuracy location function of the WLS to determine that said mobile device is within a defined area of interest and is potentially within a defined quiet zone comprises means for using the low-accuracy location function to determine that said mobile device is within one of a plurality of defined quiet zones;

and wherein the means for using the high-accuracy location function to determine a precise geographic location of said mobile device and based thereon confirming that said mobile device is within said quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around said quiet zone comprises means for using the high-accuracy location function to confirm that said mobile device is within one of said plurality of defined quiet zone or at least within an area of ambiguity around one of said plurality of defined quiet zones.

81. A system as recited in claim 42 wherein the system is configured to control access to a plurality of WCNs having coverage areas that include said area of interest and quiet zone.

82. A system as recited in claim 81 wherein said plurality of WCNs employ at least two different air interfaces to communicate with mobile devices.