System and method for determining a zone of relevance for subscriber location and notification

A computer-implemented method for deciding whether and how to notify a user, the method comprising:

• determining that a wireless subscriber is within a zone of relevance;
• determining applicable notification methods based on application-specific information obtained from an application service provider, wireless subscriber profile information and real time information obtained from a wireless network, and information from a geographic database;
• determining the costs of said applicable notification methods;
• performing a value-cost comparison by comparing the notification value-cost ratio to a predetermined threshold;
• making a decision to notify the user based on the value-cost comparison;
• selecting a notification method with highest value to cost ratio;
• and
• using the selected notification method to notify the user.

A computer-implemented method for deciding whether and how to locate a mobile subscriber, the method comprising:

• determining applicable location determination methods within a zone of relevance based on application specific information obtained from an application service provider, information from a wireless network serving the subscriber, and information extracted from a geographic database;
• determining applicable notification methods within the zone of relevance;
• determining costs associated with the applicable location determination and notification methods;
• performing a notification value-cost comparison by comparing a notification value-cost ratio to a threshold;
• making a user notification decision;
• and
• determining a location determination quality and update requirement for the mobile subscriber commensurate with the decision whether to notify or not notify a user.