Location blocking service from a web advertiser
First Claim
1. A server that executes software code to perform operations comprising a:
- receiving an identity of a user of a device that is in communication with the server over a network, the device comprising a processing and control unit;
receiving information that indicates a location of the device;
identifying, in a database, a user-specific preference associated with the user, wherein the database stores user-specific advertisements, the user-specific preference, and location-specific preferences;
identifying a location-specific preference in the database, the location-specific preference being associated with the location of the device;
selecting, from the database, a user-specific advertisement based on the user-specific, preference and the location-specific preference;
receiving an activation of a location blocking option; and
sending the user-specific advertisement to the device without the information that indicates the location of the device, wherein the user-specific advertisement does not include a reference to the location of the device.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service provider, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service provider 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 provider 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 provider 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.
372 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A server that executes software code to perform operations comprising a:
- receiving an identity of a user of a device that is in communication with the server over a network, the device comprising a processing and control unit;
receiving information that indicates a location of the device;
identifying, in a database, a user-specific preference associated with the user, wherein the database stores user-specific advertisements, the user-specific preference, and location-specific preferences;
identifying a location-specific preference in the database, the location-specific preference being associated with the location of the device;
selecting, from the database, a user-specific advertisement based on the user-specific, preference and the location-specific preference;
receiving an activation of a location blocking option; and
sending the user-specific advertisement to the device without the information that indicates the location of the device, wherein the user-specific advertisement does not include a reference to the location of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- receiving an identity of a user of a device that is in communication with the server over a network, the device comprising a processing and control unit;
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8. A system comprising:
- a server in communication with a database via a network, wherein the database stores user-specific advertisements, user-specific preferences, and location-specific preferences; and
software code that, when executed by the server, causes the server to perform operations comprising receiving an activation of a location blocking option from a wireless device in communication with the network, receiving an identity of a user of the wireless device, receiving information that indicates a location of the wireless device, selecting a user-specific advertisement based on an identified user-specific preference in the database and an identified location-specific preference in the database, sending the user-specific advertisement to the wireless device, without the information that indicates the location of the wireless device, wherein the user-specific advertisement does not include a reference to the location of the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
- a server in communication with a database via a network, wherein the database stores user-specific advertisements, user-specific preferences, and location-specific preferences; and
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13. A method comprising:
- receiving, by a server comprising a processor, activation of a location blocking option from a wireless device associated with a user;
selecting, by the server, an advertisement from a database that contains a plurality of user-specific advertisements, the selecting being based on a location of the wireless device, a user-specific preference, and a location-specific preference; and
sending the advertisement to the wireless device, without information that indicates the location of the wireless device, wherein the advertisement does not include a reference to the location of the wireless device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
- receiving, by a server comprising a processor, activation of a location blocking option from a wireless device associated with a user;
Specification