Identity blocking service from a wireless service provider

• US 7,603,110 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Moton, Jr., Robert T., Enzmann, Mark J., Zellner, Samuel N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): Miller, Brandon J
• Application Number:
  US11/252,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20060030335A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,457 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.5, 455/456.3, 455/404.2, 455/456.6, 455/412.2, 455/419, 455/412.1, 455/411, 455/404.1, 455/456.1, 455/466, 455/414.1, 379/142.02, 705/18, 705/52, 705/14, 342/457
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1859 adapted to provide push services, e.g. data channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/189 in combination with wireless systems selective distribution or broadcast in wireless communication networks H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/08 User group management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/23 for mobile advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 between corresponding nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber'"'"'s identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber'"'"'s identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital).

Claims

1. A method of providing an identity-blocking service, comprising:

obtaining, from a wireless communication device, an identity of a user operating the wireless communication device;

repetitively obtaining from the wireless communication device, at predetermined time intervals, first information indicating a location of the user;

obtaining second information, if submitted by the user in response to a request for the second information, the second information relating to the identity of the user;

transmitting, to another entity, the first information;

transmitting, to the other entity, the identity of the user, if the second information is submitted by the user;

receiving, from the other entity, location-specific information intended for the user; and

sending the location-specific information to the wireless communication device, wherein;

the location-specific information is based upon;

the first information; and

the identity of the user, if the second information is submitted by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a fee to the user for blocking the identity of the user from being disclosed to the other entity if the second information is not submitted by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the other entity is an advertising entity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting the user to provide the second information relating to the identity of the user is performed when the user signs up for a communication service that allows the user to operate the wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting the user to provide the second information relating to the identity of the user is performed when the user signs up for the identity-blocking service.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining a database to store the second information therein.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein repetitively obtaining the first information indicating the location of the user includes:

repetitively monitoring, at pre-determined time intervals, one or more signals transmitted by the wireless communication device operated by the user; and

repetitively determining, at pre-determined time intervals, the location of the user based on an analysis of the one or more signals.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring the movement of the user operating the wireless communication device; and

sending an indication to a third party when the user is found to be in a substantially continuous motion.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising charging a fee to a third party for the first information indicating the location of the user.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising disclosing the identity of the user to an emergency service provider when the user requests emergency help.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allowing the user to unblock disclosure of the identity of the user to a third party by submitting the second information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the user submits the second information over the Internet.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining second information comprises obtaining second information submitted by the user in response to a request for the second information, wherein:

the second information comprises an indication that the user authorizes the identity to be shared with the other entity.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining second information comprises obtaining second information submitted by the user, wherein the user submitting the second information indicates that the user;

authorizes the second information to be shared with the other entity; and

does not authorize the identity of the user to be shared with the other entity.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein:

the second information is shared with the other entity; and

the identity of the user is not shared with the other entity.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the obtaining the first information, transmitting the first information, and receiving location-specific information based upon the first information, occur without prompting the user for permission.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the obtaining the second information, transmitting the second information, and receiving location-specific information based upon the second information, occur upon receiving, from the user, permission.