Method and system in a wireless communications network for providing restricted user termination areas based on originator location

• US 6,256,503 B1
• Filed: 07/09/1997
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Stephens, Gary Boyd
• Primary Examiner(s): Legree, Tracy
• Application Number:
  US08/890,234
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/415, 455/417, 455/445, 455/456, 455/404-408, 455/421, 455/422, 455/432, 455/440, 455/517-519, 455/521, 579/210, 579/211
• US Class Current: 455/456.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences

Abstract

A method and system in a wireless communications network are provided for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within the wireless communications network. First, a communications transaction is initiated. In response to an initiation of the communications transaction, a geographic location of an originator of the communications transaction is determined. In response to determining the geographic location of the originator, a geographic location of a terminator of the communications transaction is determined. The geographic location of the originator is thereafter automatically compared to the geographic location of the terminator. The communications transaction is completed based upon a selected proximity of the geographic location of the originator to the geographic location of the terminator. Alternative action to the communications transaction is also provided in response to a lack of proximity of the geographic location of the originator to the geographic location of the terminator.

Claims

1. A method in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of:

initiating a communications transaction;

in response to initiating said communications transaction, determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction;

determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction;

automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators;

completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and

providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

designating a specified region;

determining a range of said specified region,

if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region, thereafter terminating said initiation of said communications transaction; and

if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region, allowing said communications transaction to continue.

3. A system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of:

means for initiating a communications transaction;

means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction;

means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction;

means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators;

means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and

means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

means for designating a specified region;

means for determining a range of said specified region;

means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and

means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.

5. A program product residing in computer memory in a computer system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, said program product comprising:

means for initiating a communications transaction;

means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction;

means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction;

means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators;

means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and

means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators;

signal bearing media bearing;

said means for initiating a communications transaction;

said means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction;

said means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction;

said means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators;

said means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and

said means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.

6. The program product of claim 5 further comprising:

means for designating a specified region;

means for determining a range of said specified region;

means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and

means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.

7. The program product of claim 6 further comprising:

said signal bearing media further comprising signal bearing media bearing;

means for designating a specified region;

means for determining a range of said specified region;

said means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and

said means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.

8. The program product of claim 7 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.

9. The program product of claim 7 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.