Patent · US Expired

Location blocking service for wireless networks

US6675017B1 · kind B1 · utility

179Cited by
9References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 30, 2000
Grant dateJan 6, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04W76/50
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention disclosed is a location blocking service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides a network user with the ability to prevent the location of her wireless handheld device from being disclosed to parties other than the wireless network provider and PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points). The network user blocks the forwarding of location information by signaling to the wireless handheld device when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device, or by signaling to the network when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device or the network. Primary components of the present invention include at least one user interface and at least one location block processor provisioned in the wireless handheld device and/or the wireless network. The user interface prompts the user of the handheld device to enter the commands that the send the signals to the device or network.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.