Patent · US9532169B2 · B2 · US

Selected restriction of wireless communication services

(11) Publication number

US9532169B2

(21) Application number

14/754,036

(22) Filing date

2015-06-29

(30) Priority date

2010-07-08

(43) Publication date

2016-12-27

(45) Date of grant

2016-12-27

(51) IPC

F16B 5/06; F16B 5/12; G01S 19/01; H04W 12/08; H04W 24/00; H04W 4/02; H04W 4/021; H04W 4/029; H04W 48/02; H04W 48/04; H04W 48/08; H04W 64/00; H04W 8/22

(52) CPC

H04W Wireless communication networks: 48/04, 12/08, 12/088, 4/02, 4/021, 4/029, 48/02, 48/08, 64/00, 8/22
F16B Devices for fastening or securing constructional elements or machine parts together, e.g. nails, bolts, circlips, clamps, clips or wedges; joints or jointing: 2200/50, 2200/69, 5/0635, 5/126
G01S Radio direction-finding; radio navigation; determining distance or velocity by use of radio waves; locating or presence-detecting by use of the reflection or reradiation of radio waves; analogous arrangements using other waves: 19/01
Y10T Technical subjects covered by former us classification: 403/58, 403/64

(73) Assignee

AT&T Mobility II LLC

(72) Inventors

Brian Kevin Daly

(54) Title

Selected restriction of wireless communication services

(57) Abstract

Wireless communications services on a wireless communications device are selectively restricted in accordance with a location of the wireless device and specific permission and/or restrictions assigned to the wireless device while within/at the location. Services can be selectively blocked (denied), selectively modified, or selectively allowed on a wireless device based on lists indicating permissibility for specific services for specific devices at/within specific locations. A location can be a zone of coverage of a cellular tower, micro/pico/Femto cell or wireless access point, a sector of a zone of coverage, a geographic region within a zone of coverage, or any appropriate combination thereof.

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Claims (20)

A method comprising: determining, via an application executing on a wireless communication device, a location of the wireless communication device; comparing the location of the wireless communication device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the wireless communication device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage.
The method of claim 1, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.
The method of claim 1, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.
The method of claim 1, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.
The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the wireless communication device is determined utilizing a global position system.
The method of claim 1, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.
The method of claim 1, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions.
A device comprising: a processor; and memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instruction that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: determining a location of the device; comparing the location of the device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the device while within the zone of coverage.
The device of claim 8, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.
The device of claim 8, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.
The device of claim 8, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.
The device of claim 8, wherein the location of the device is determined utilizing a global position system.
The device of claim 8, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.
The device of claim 8, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions.
A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: determining a location of the wireless communication device; comparing the location of the wireless communication device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the wireless communication device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage.
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.
The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions.

Description

The technical field generally relates to communications systems and more specifically relates to selected restriction of wireless communications services.

At times, it may be desirable to prevent the use of wireless devices (e.g., cell phones). For example, in a police facility, prison, or jail, a law enforcement agency may find it desirable, or necessary, to prevent unauthorized use of wireless devices in order to protect the safety of agency personnel and/or the public. Typically, use of a wireless devices can be prevented by jamming (e.g., rf jammers) signals from the devices or blocking signals (e.g., rf absorbing, blocking paint, shielding, etc.) from the devices. However, these techniques do not provide selective prevention of use.

The permissibility of wireless communications services on a wireless communications device is determined in accordance with a location of a wireless device and specific permission and/or restrictions assigned to the wireless device while within/at the location. In an example embodiment, services are selectively blocked (denied), modified, or allowed on a wireless device within a geographic region based on lists indicating allowed services and restricted services.

FIG. 1 depicts example locations.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example depiction of indicating permissibility of wireless communications services for wireless communications devices at/within specific locations.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example depiction of indicating permissibility of wireless communications services for wireless communications devices at/within regions of specific locations.

Citations (24)

US6032044A
US6334052B1
US6256503B1
US7263367B1
US20030148774A1
US6690940B1
US8401519B2
US8437791B2
US20060223519A1
US20070016458A1
US20110059688A1
US20070030973A1
US20090005061A1
US20070167175A1
US20080207170A1
US20090061821A1
US8463297B2
US7903625B1
US20100159877A1
US20110093913A1
US20110117881A1
US20110151863A1
US8744480B2
US20140243024A1

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US9532169B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Selected restriction of wireless communication services",
  "abstract": "Wireless communications services on a wireless communications device are selectively restricted in accordance with a location of the wireless device and specific permission and/or restrictions assigned to the wireless device while within/at the location. Services can be selectively blocked (denied), selectively modified, or selectively allowed on a wireless device based on lists indicating permissibility for specific services for specific devices at/within specific locations. A location can be a zone of coverage of a cellular tower, micro/pico/Femto cell or wireless access point, a sector of a zone of coverage, a geographic region within a zone of coverage, or any appropriate combination thereof.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A method comprising: determining, via an application executing on a wireless communication device, a location of the wireless communication device; comparing the location of the wireless communication device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the wireless communication device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage.",
    "2. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.",
    "3. The method of claim 1, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.",
    "4. The method of claim 1, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.",
    "5. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of the wireless communication device is determined utilizing a global position system.",
    "6. The method of claim 1, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.",
    "7. The method of claim 1, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions.",
    "8. A device comprising: a processor; and memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instruction that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: determining a location of the device; comparing the location of the device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the device while within the zone of coverage.",
    "9. The device of claim 8, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.",
    "10. The device of claim 8, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.",
    "11. The device of claim 8, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.",
    "12. The device of claim 8, wherein the location of the device is determined utilizing a global position system.",
    "13. The device of claim 8, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.",
    "14. The device of claim 8, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions.",
    "15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising: determining a location of the wireless communication device; comparing the location of the wireless communication device with a zone of coverage comprising a moving, dynamically defined region; determining, based on the comparing, a permissibility of a service for the wireless communication device, wherein types of the permissibility comprise a first permissibility, a second permissibility, and a third permissibility; when the permissibility comprises the first permissibility, allowing the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; when the permissibility comprises the second permissibility, restricting the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage; and when the permissibility comprises the third permissibility, denying the service for the wireless communication device while within the zone of coverage.",
    "16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the zone of coverage further comprises at least one of a cellular tower, a micro cell, a pico cell, a Femto cell, or a wireless access point.",
    "17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the region comprises a geographic boundary.",
    "18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the region is determined utilizing a global position system.",
    "19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the permissibility of service is further based on time.",
    "20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the zone of coverage comprises three spatial dimensions."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The technical field generally relates to communications systems and more specifically relates to selected restriction of wireless communications services.\n\nAt times, it may be desirable to prevent the use of wireless devices (e.g., cell phones). For example, in a police facility, prison, or jail, a law enforcement agency may find it desirable, or necessary, to prevent unauthorized use of wireless devices in order to protect the safety of agency personnel and/or the public. Typically, use of a wireless devices can be prevented by jamming (e.g., rf jammers) signals from the devices or blocking signals (e.g., rf absorbing, blocking paint, shielding, etc.) from the devices. However, these techniques do not provide selective prevention of use.\n\nThe permissibility of wireless communications services on a wireless communications device is determined in accordance with a location of a wireless device and specific permission and/or restrictions assigned to the wireless device while within/at the location. In an example embodiment, services are selectively blocked (denied), modified, or allowed on a wireless device within a geographic region based on lists indicating allowed services and restricted services.\n\nFIG. 1 depicts example locations.\n\nFIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example depiction of indicating permissibility of wireless communications services for wireless communications devices at/within specific locations.\n\nFIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example depiction of indicating permissibility of wireless communications services for wireless communications devices at/within regions of specific locations.",
  "cpc": [
    "H04W 48/04",
    "F16B 2200/50",
    "F16B 2200/69",
    "F16B 5/0635",
    "F16B 5/126",
    "G01S 19/01",
    "H04W 12/08",
    "H04W 12/088",
    "H04W 4/02",
    "H04W 4/021",
    "H04W 4/029",
    "H04W 48/02",
    "H04W 48/08",
    "H04W 64/00",
    "H04W 8/22",
    "Y10T 403/58",
    "Y10T 403/64"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 5/06",
    "F16B 5/12",
    "G01S 19/01",
    "H04W 12/08",
    "H04W 24/00",
    "H04W 4/02",
    "H04W 4/021",
    "H04W 4/029",
    "H04W 48/02",
    "H04W 48/04",
    "H04W 48/08",
    "H04W 64/00",
    "H04W 8/22"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "AT&T Mobility II LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Brian Kevin Daly"
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  "filing_date": "2015-06-29",
  "publication_date": "2016-12-27",
  "grant_date": "2016-12-27",
  "priority_date": "2010-07-08",
  "application_number": "US-201514754036-A",
  "family_id": "45438960",
  "cited_by_count": 8,
  "citations": [
    "US6032044A",
    "US6334052B1",
    "US6256503B1",
    "US7263367B1",
    "US20030148774A1",
    "US6690940B1",
    "US8401519B2",
    "US8437791B2",
    "US20060223519A1",
    "US20070016458A1",
    "US20110059688A1",
    "US20070030973A1",
    "US20090005061A1",
    "US20070167175A1",
    "US20080207170A1",
    "US20090061821A1",
    "US8463297B2",
    "US7903625B1",
    "US20100159877A1",
    "US20110093913A1",
    "US20110117881A1",
    "US20110151863A1",
    "US8744480B2",
    "US20140243024A1"
  ]
}

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