Method of providing targeted information using wireless subscription management

• US 8,233,429 B1
• Filed: 11/15/2002
• Issued: 07/31/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fingerhut, Howard
• Primary Examiner(s): Jagannathan, Melanie
• Application Number:
  US10/294,611
• Time in Patent Office: 3,546 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/03 Protecting confidentiality, e.g. by encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/265 for initial activation of new user

Abstract

A wireless communication device receives targeted information and/or advertisements. The wireless communication device is preprogrammed with a generic network address only. To communicate over a network, the wireless communication sends an activation request message to the network, including its generic network address (GNA) and information indicative of the base station via which communication is taking place. Knowing the geographical location of the base station, it is possible to send to the wireless communication device via its GNA, or a subsequently provided unique network address (UNA), information or advertisements targeted to the geographical location or particular wireless device.

Claims

1. A method for providing targeted information, comprising:

initiating contact with a wireless network with a wireless device, the wireless device being preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA);

generating, in the wireless device, an activation request message including the generic network address and base station information;

transmitting the activation request message to the wireless network;

detecting and storing the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message traveled;

associating the GNA with the base station in a database; and

transmitting via the base station targeted information to the wireless device using the GNA as the address of the wireless device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA) which is used by the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising transmitting the activation response message to the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless device is a wireless telephone.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the targeted information includes an offer for sale of a product or service.

6. A method for providing targeted information, comprising:

initiating contact with a network with a wireless device, the wireless device being preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA);

generating, in the wireless device, an activation request message including the GNA and base station information;

transmitting the activation request message to the wireless network;

detecting and storing the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message traveled;

associating the GNA with the base station in a database;

generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA) which is associated with the wireless device;

transmitting the activation response message to the wireless device;

transmitting via the base station targeted information to the wireless device using the UNA as the address of the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the targeted information includes an offer for sale of a product or service.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs for subsequent use by another wireless device.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serial number of the wireless device.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message is transmitted to the network when an activation process is initiated without a request by the network.

11. The method of claim 6, wherein the activation request message is encrypted.

12. A method of dynamically matching a wireless device that is preprogrammed with a generic network address (GNA) with a particular geographic location and delivering a targeted information to that wireless device, comprising:

generating, in the communication device, an activation request message including the GNA and base station information;

transmitting the activation request message to a network, wherein the activation request message includes the base station information which is indicative of the base station via which the activation request message enters the network;

associating the GNA with the base station in a database;

identifying the geographical location of the base station;

dynamically selecting information targeted for that geographical location; and

transmitting a component of the information to the wireless device via the base station, wherein the component of the information targeted for that geographical location is transmitted to the wireless device after identifying the geographical location of the base station, which is determined after the activation request message is received by the network.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the GNA of the wireless device is used as the address of the wireless device to transmit the information.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising generating an activation response message including a unique network address (UNA), which is used by the wireless device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the UNA is used as the address of the wireless device to transmit the information.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising returning the UNA to a pool of UNAs.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the information is an offer for sale of a product or service.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the wireless device is a mobile telephone.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message includes a manufacturer serial number of the wireless device.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message is transmitted to the network when an activation process is initiated without a request by the network.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the activation request message is encrypted.