Inventors:
Suzanne Arcens - Santa Clara CA, US
International Classification:
H04Q007/20
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for enhanced user control of location information for mobile devices. The method and apparatus provide user control within the mobile station of privacy policies that supervise responses to requests for location information. In an exemplary embodiment the mobile station includes a Privacy Engine, a Position Determination Module, and a User Interface. The Privacy Engine is a software module that controls the responses of the mobile station to location requests. The Privacy Engine preferably includes a Privacy Policy that may be modified by the mobile station user by means of wireless downloads, the User Interface, or by locally connected devices such as a personal computer, personal digital assistant, or laptop. Advantageously, the Privacy Engine or the Privacy Policy may be downloaded to the mobile station by means of a wireless data network or other data connection such as Bluetooth, infrared connection, Universal Serial Bus, etc.