AREA WATCHER FOR WIRELESS NETWORK

摘要

Dynamic and current information is provided regarding a wireless device's entry into or exit from a geographically defined “watched” area. An area watcher application monitors preconfigured wireless devices entry/exit into preconfigured watched areas. The watched areas may watch for any/all subscribers, or for select, preconfigured subscribers listed in an appropriate table or database. Provision of location information is triggered by a wireless subscriber's entry, exit or changing between designated ‘watched’ areas or locations. Continuous polling may be used, or the mobile device itself or network element may be triggered to push its own location upon notification of its entry into or out of watched areas from an area watcher. A third party may be notified when a wireless user enters an area surrounding their retail store, and be sent a message such as “sale inside”, or “Your rentals are overdue”, on their wireless device.

主权项

1. A computing device executing an area watcher, the area watcher being configure to:
provide a request to watch a geographic area defined by a boundary; provide a request to associate a particular wireless device with the geographic area; and receive an indication that the particular wireless device has at least one of entered and exited the geographic area.