US6256503B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system in a wireless communications network for providing restricted user termination areas based on originator location
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1997-07-09
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Granted: 2001-07-03
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Expires: 2017-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A method and system in a wireless communications network are provided for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within the wireless communications network. First, a communications transaction is initiated. In response to an initiation of the communications transaction, a geographic location of an originator of the communications transaction is determined. In response to determining the geographic location of the originator, a geographic location of a terminator of the communications transaction is determined. The geographic location of the originator is thereafter automatically compared to the geographic location of the terminator. The communications transaction is completed based upon a selected proximity of the geographic location of the originator to the geographic location of the terminator. Alternative action to the communications transaction is also provided in response to a lack of proximity of the geographic location of the originator to the geographic location of the terminator.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary Boyd Stephens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/021
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A method in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: initiating a communications transaction; in response to initiating said communications transaction, determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction; determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
158 words
A method in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: initiating a communications transaction; in response to initiating said communications transaction, determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction; determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: designating a specified region; determining a range of said specified region, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region, thereafter terminating said initiation of said communications transaction; and if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region, allowing said communications transaction to continue.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
170 words
A system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: means for initiating a communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
170 words
A system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: means for initiating a communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 3 further comprising: means for designating a specified region; means for determining a range of said specified region; means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
330 words
A program product residing in computer memory in a computer system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, said program product comprising: means for initiating a communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators; signal bearing media bearing: said means for initiating a communications transaction; said means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; said means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; said means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; said means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and said means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
330 words
A program product residing in computer memory in a computer system in a wireless communications network for restricting communication transactions based on the geographic location of originators and terminators within said wireless communications network, said program product comprising: means for initiating a communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators; signal bearing media bearing: said means for initiating a communications transaction; said means for determining a geographic location of an originator of said communications transaction, in response to initiating said communications transaction; said means for determining a geographic location of each of a plurality of possible terminators of said communications transaction; said means for automatically comparing said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of each of said plurality of possible terminators; said means for completing said communications transaction to a single selected terminator among said plurality of possible terminators based upon a selected proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of said single selected terminator; and said means for providing alternative action to said communications transaction in response to a lack of proximity of said geographic location of said originator to said geographic location of any terminator within said plurality of possible terminators.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
70 words
The program product of claim 5 further comprising: means for designating a specified region; means for determining a range of said specified region; means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
The program product of claim 6 further comprising: said signal bearing media further comprising signal bearing media bearing: means for designating a specified region; means for determining a range of said specified region; said means for terminating said initiation of said communications transaction, if said geographic location of said originator is located outside a range of said specified region; and said means for allowing said communications transaction to continue, if said communications transaction is located within a range of said specified region.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program product of claim 7 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises transmission media.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The program product of claim 7 wherein said signal bearing media further comprises recordable media.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-07-02 | 2005-01-01 | 2005-07-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-07-02 | 2009-01-01 | 2009-07-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-07-02 | 2013-01-01 | 2013-07-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |