Method and apparatus using location-based communication

摘要

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box (STB) having a controller to communicate with a location server on an interactive TV network used by the STB to find a mobile communication device of a targeted party, receive information from the location server that monitors a communication network to find a location of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device approaches or traverses a predetermined boundary or approaches a targeted location where the targeted party carries the mobile communication device operating on the communication network that has location determining functionality, and presents the location of the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

主权项

1. A set top box, comprising:
a processor; and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations, comprising:
communicating with a location server coupled to an interactive television network, wherein the location server monitors a communication network to determine a location of a mobile communication device of a targeted party relative to a predetermined boundary by power sensing, at the mobile communication device, a wireless fidelity base station located in the predetermined boundary, wherein the targeted party carries the mobile communication device operating on the communication network that has location determining functionality;receiving, via the interactive television network, location information from the location server describing the location of the mobile communication device relative to the predetermined boundary;receiving a task request;matching the location information to a first task location of a plurality of task locations in a database responsive to the task request;determining compatibility between the first task location and the task request;generating a simulated speech task message responsive to determining of the compatibility;transmitting the simulated speech task message to the mobile communication device;presenting a map having a representation of the location of the mobile communication device relative to the predetermined boundary according to the location information;transmitting a first warning message to a second communication device when the mobile communication device is detected traversing the predetermined boundary;transmitting a second warning message to the mobile communication device of the targeted party when the mobile communication device of the targeted party is detected outside the predetermined boundary;receiving a request from a second set top box for the location information for the mobile communication device; andtransmitting the location information from the set top box to the second set top box.