Identity blocking service from a web advertiser

(54) IDENTITY BLOCKING SERVICE FROM A WEB ADVERTISER

(76) Inventors: Samuel N. Zellner, Dunwoody, GA

(US); Mark J. Enzmann, Roswell, GA
(US); Robert T. Moton JR.,

Alpharetta, GA (US)

Correspondence Address:
Jonathan C. Parks, Esq.
Kirkpatrick & Lockhart LLP
Henry W. Oliver Bldg.
535 Smithfleld Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2312 (US)

(21) Appl. No.: 09/740,375

(22) Filed: Dec. 19, 2000

Publication Classification

(51) Int. CI.7 G06F 17/60; G06F 15/16

(52) U.S. CI 705/14; 705/26; 709/203

(57) ABSTRACT

Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital).