System, method and apparatus for automatic feature activation/deactivation based upon positioning

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 , wherein the specific location of the mobile station is determined by a global positioning system.

Claim 4

The method of claim 1 , wherein the specific location of the mobile station is determined by measuring a propagation delay of signals between the mobile station and each of a plurality of base stations.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 , wherein calls placed to a directory number associated with said mobile station are forwarded to a directory number associated with a wireline phone.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 , wherein calls placed to a directory number associated with a wireline phone are forwarded to a directory number associated with said mobile station.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of activating a call forwarding feature comprises the step of automatically calling an end office in a public switched telephone network from said mobile station, wherein said end office controls the call forwarding features.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6 , wherein said step of activating the call forwarding feature further comprises the use of a Remote Access to Subscriber's Features (RASF) procedure.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing said step of comparing said determined location to a preselected location in response to an establishment of communications between said mobile station and one or more selected cells.

Claim 10

The method of claim 1 , further comprising performing said step of determining a specific location on a predetermined periodic basis.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of automatically activating a plurality of selected telecommunications features associated with said preselected location.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing said preselected location at said mobile station.

Claim 13

The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing said preselected location at a register in a home location register (HLR).

Claim 14

The method of claim 1 , wherein said determined location and said preselected location each comprise a set of coordinates.

Claim 15

The method of claim 13 , wherein said set of coordinates is Cartesian.

Claim 16

The method of claim 13 , wherein said set of coordinates is three-dimensional.

Claim 17

A telecommunications system for activating at least one selected feature depending upon a location of a mobile station within said system, comprising: a memory for storing at least one selected activation location and at least one call forwarding feature associated therewith; positioning means for determining a specific location of said mobile station within said system; a comparator for comparing said specific location with said at least one selected activation location; and activation means for activating said at least one call forwarding feature depending upon whether said specific location of said mobile station is within a predetermined distance of said at least one selected activation location.

Claim 18

A telecommunications system for activating at least one selected feature depending upon a location of a mobile station within said system, comprising: a memory for storing at least one selected activation location and at least one call forwarding feature associated therewith; positioning means for determining a specific location of said mobile station within said system; a comparator for comparing said specific location with said at least one selected activation location; and activation means for activating said at least one call forwarding feature depending upon whether said specific location of said mobile station is within a predetermined distance of said at least one selected activation location.

Claim 19

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , further comprising a wireline phone, wherein said call forwarding feature includes forwarding calls between said mobile station and said wireline phone.

Claim 20

The telecommunications system of claim 17 , wherein said wireline phone comprises a facsimile machine.

Claim 21

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said memory is located within said mobile station.

Claim 22

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said memory is located within a home location register within said system and associated within said mobile station.

Claim 23

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said positioning means comprises a global positioning system.

Claim 24

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said positioning means comprises a triangulation mechanism.

Claim 25

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said positioning means determines the location of said mobile station within said system on a predetermined periodic basis.

Claim 26

The telecommunications system of claim 16 , wherein said at least one selected activation location each comprise a set of coordinates.

Claim 27

The telecommunications system of claim 24 , wherein said set of coordinates is Cartesian.

Claim 28

The telecommunications system of claim 24 , wherein said set of coordinates is three-dimensional.

Claim 29

A mobile station in a telecommunications network for activating at least one selected feature depending upon a location of the mobile station, comprising: a programmable subscriber identity module (SIM) card for use with said mobile station, said SIM card storing at least one activation location and at least one selected call forwarding feature associated with said at least one activation location; and a comparator for comparing a specific location of the mobile station within the telecommunications network with said at least one stored activation location to determine whether to activate said at least one selected call forwarding feature based upon whether the specific location is within a preselected distance from the at least one stored activation location.

Claim 30

A mobile station in a telecommunications network for activating at least one selected feature depending upon a location of the mobile station, comprising: a programmable subscriber identity module (SIM) card for use with said mobile station, said SIM card storing at least one activation location and at least one selected call forwarding feature associated with said at least one activation location; and a comparator for comparing a specific location of the mobile station within the telecommunications network with said at least one stored activation location to determine whether to activate said at least one selected call forwarding feature based upon whether the specific location is within a preselected distance from the at least one stored activation location.

Claim 31

The mobile station of claim 27 , wherein said at least one activation location and respective at least one selected call forwarding feature associated therewith are stored within a database within said SIM card.

Claim 32

The mobile station of claim 27 , wherein said specific location and said at least one activation location each comprise a set of coordinates.

Claim 33

The mobile station of claim 29 , wherein said set of coordinates is Cartesian.

Claim 34

The mobile station of claim 29 , wherein said set of coordinates is three-dimensional.