Location blocking service from a wireless service provider

• US 8,509,813 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• 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: Zellner, Samuel N., Morton, Jr., Robert T., Enzmann, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beamer, Temica M
• Application Number:
  US13/461,942
• Publication Number:
  US 20120276873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/410, 455/411, 455/456.3, 455/404.2, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: B41M 7/009 using thermal means, e.g. infrared radiation, heat
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• 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 8/16 selectively restricting mobility data tracking

Abstract

Subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device is identified. The subscriber authorization information indicates that an identity of a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device. Subsequent to the subscriber authorization information being identified, the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is received or retrieved without information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

identifying, by a system comprising at least one processor, subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that an identity of a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device; and

retrieving or receiving, by the system, subsequent to the subscriber authorization information being identified, the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device without information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the identity of the subscriber is retrieved or received by the system requesting a user of the wireless communication device to provide information about the identity of the subscriber.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the identity of the subscriber is retrieved or received by the system by capturing information associated with the wireless communication device and determining the identity of the subscriber based on the captured information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

obtaining user-specific information associated with the subscriber of the wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user-specific information is for delivery to a user of the wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the user-specific information is obtained based on subscriber preferences.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the user-specific information is obtained responsive to receipt of user permission.

8. A system, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory in communication with the at least one processor that stores computer-executable instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to;

identify subscriber authorization information from a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that an identity of a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device; and

retrieve or receive, subsequent to the subscriber authorization information being identified, the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device without information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the identity of the subscriber is retrieved or received by requesting a user of the wireless communication device to provide information about the identity of the subscriber.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the identity of the subscriber is retrieved or received by capturing information associated with the wireless communication device and determining the identity of the subscriber based on the captured information.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the memory stores instructions which, when executed by the processor cause the processor to obtain user-specific information.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user-specific information is associated with a subscriber of the wireless communication device.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the user-specific information is for delivery to a user of the wireless communication device.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the user-specific information is obtained based on subscriber preferences.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the user-specific information is obtained responsive to receipt of user permission.

17. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause the computer to obtain user-specific information.

18. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user-specific information is associated with a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device.

19. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user-specific information is intended for a user of the wireless communication device.

20. The non-transitory computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user-specific information is obtained based on subscriber preference and user permission.

16. A non-transitory computer program product including computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to:

receive subscriber authorization information indicating that an identity of a subscriber associated with a wireless communication device is authorized to be shared with a third party without sharing information that identifies a location of the wireless communication device;

transmit, to a service provider, at least an indication associated with the subscriber authorization information, wherein the indication facilitates the delivery of the identity of the subscriber associated with the wireless communication device to the third party without sharing information that identifies the location of the wireless communication device.