Geographical network initiated wireless device feature control

Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for applying feature controls to features on a wireless device while the mobile is in a geographic area is provided. The wireless device receives instructions from a wireless network indicating which feature controls to apply. The wireless device determines that its position is within the geographic area and applies the feature controls.

1 . A mobile device operating in a wireless network and configured for geographical feature control, the mobile device comprising:
 a location module configured to receive location information for the mobile device from a local or remote source;   a geographic module to store geographic boundaries for feature control zones; and   a state machine to control whether a feature on the mobile device is turned on or off;   wherein the mobile device determines if the location information is within a feature control zone and, based on the determination, utilizes the state machine to turn features of the mobile device on or off.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , further comprising a mobility module used to receive information for the geographic module during a network transition by the mobile device. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the local source for location information is a global positioning system module on the mobile device. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the remote source for location information is a network element. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the feature control zones include zones where a feature is allowed; zones where a feature is not allowed; and intermediate zones. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device of  claim 5 , wherein the state machine leaves a feature on or off when entering an intermediate zone. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device utilizes a collision detection algorithm to determine if a region calculated from the location information and a location accuracy estimate intersects with a geographic boundary of a feature control zone. 
     
     
         8 . A method for controlling features on a mobile device operating in a wireless network, comprising, at the mobile device:
 determining a location of the mobile device;   calculating a location region for the mobile device based on the location found in the determining step and on a geographic location determination accuracy;   finding whether the location region intersects with a geographic boundary of a feature control zone; and   if the location region intersects with the geographic boundary of a feature control zone, utilizing a state machine to turn features of the mobile device on or off.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising storing geographic boundaries for feature control zones on the mobile device. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the storing is done during a network transition by the mobile device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the determining is based on a global positioning system on the mobile device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the determining is based on location information received from a network element at the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the feature control zone includes a zone where a feature is allowed; a zone where a feature is not allowed; and an intermediate zone. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the state machine leaves a feature on or off when entering an intermediate zone. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the finding utilizes a collision detection algorithm. 
     
     
         16 . A network element comprising:
 a location service for providing a location to a mobile device;   a geographic information system to define a geographic zone with feature control;   a feature services module configured to identify features allowed and not allowed within the geographic zone;   a mobility management module configured to provide geographic boundaries of zones of feature control and feature control parameters to the mobile device; and   a configuration module to configure feature control information and geographic zones,   wherein the network element provides geographic boundaries for zones that feature controls apply and feature control information to the mobile device on transition of the mobile device between networks.