IP Library Granted Patent US 8,718,618
Granted Patent B2
US 8,718,618 · App. 13/947,150 · Granted May 6, 2014

Identity blocking service from a wireless service provider

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,718,618
App. No.
13/947,150
Granted
May 6, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Identity-blocking services are provided. The current physical location of a mobile device may be disclosed to a third party without sending any identity information of the mobile subscriber to the third party. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber.

Claims (39)

1. A method comprising:

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

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, obtaining, by the system, location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises an advertising server.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the location data is obtained at predetermined intervals.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining, by the system, further location data indicating a further location of the wireless communication device;

comparing, by the system, the location data with the further location data; and

determining, based upon the comparing, that the wireless communication device has moved.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

obtaining, by the system, location-specific information associated with the location of the wireless communication device.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the location-specific information is to be delivered to a user associated with the wireless communication device.

7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the location-specific information is obtained based on a preference associated with the subscriber.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the location-specific information is obtained in response to receiving permission from a user.

9. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising

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

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, obtaining location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the location of the wireless communication device is obtained at predetermined intervals.

11. The system of claim 9 , further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

obtaining further location data indicating a further location of the wireless communication device;

comparing the location data with the further location data; and

determining, based upon the comparing, that the wireless communication device has moved.

12. The system of claim 9 , further comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising obtaining location-specific information.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the location-specific information is associated with a location of the wireless communication device.

14. The system of claim 12 , wherein the location-specific information is to be delivered to a user of the wireless communication device.

15. The system of claim 12 , wherein the location-specific information is obtained based on a preference associated with the subscriber, and wherein the location-specific information is obtained in response to receiving permission from a user.

16. The system of claim 9 , wherein the system comprises an advertising server.

17. A method comprising:

identifying, by an advertising server comprising a processor, subscriber authorization information associated with a wireless communication device, the subscriber authorization information indicating that a location of the wireless communication device is authorized to be shared without sharing information that personally identifies a subscriber associated with the wireless communication device; and

in response to identifying the subscriber authorization information, obtaining, by the advertising server, location data indicating the location of the wireless communication device without obtaining information that personally identifies the subscriber.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

generating, by the advertising server, an advertisement for delivery to the wireless communication device based upon the location of the wireless communication device; and

delivering, by the advertising server, the advertisement to the wireless communication device.

19. The method of claim 17 , wherein the subscriber authorization information indicates that the information that personally identifies the subscriber is authorized to be shared with sharing the information that indicates the location of the wireless communication device.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising:

generating, by the advertising server, an advertisement for delivery to the wireless communication device based upon the information that personally identifies the subscriber; and

delivering, by the advertising server, the advertisement to the wireless communication device.

Assignments (8)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 28, 2017
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
To: GOOGLE LLC
Reel/Frame 044995/0505 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031408 FRAME 0986. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Nov 30, 2017
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 044554/0065 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE EXECUTION DATE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 031409 FRAME 0008. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Nov 30, 2017
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 044554/0185 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 23, 2013
From: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
Reel/Frame 031457/0827 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 15, 2013
From: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
To: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031408/0986 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 15, 2013
From: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031409/0008 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 15, 2013
From: AT&T BLS INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
To: AT&T DELAWARE INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INC.
Reel/Frame 031409/0014 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 22, 2013
From: ZELLNER, SAMUEL N.; ENZMANN, MARK J.; MOTON, ROBERT T., JR.
To: BELLSOUTH INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030844/0833 →