Method and system for dynamic location-based zone assignment for a wireless communication network

A method for use in locating a wireless unit relative to one or more billing zones of a location based billing application, said method comprising the steps of:

• establishing a billing zone definition of one or more billing zones at a first time, wherein a wireless network has a first network topology at said first time, said first network topology relating to first coverage areas of first network structures at said first time;
• receiving unit location information regarding a unit location of said wireless unit, said unit location information being established at a second time wherein said wireless network has a second network topology at said second time, said second network topology relating to second coverage areas of second network structures at a second time, wherein said second network topology is different than said first network topology;
• wherein at least one of said unit location information and said billing zone definition is expressed in terms of one of said first network topology and said second network topology;
• and
• making a determination regarding a billing zone of said wireless unit based on said unit location established at said second time associated with said second network topology, and said billing zone definition established at said first time associated with said first network topology, wherein said determination can be made despite a difference between said first network topology and said second network topology.

A system for use in locating a wireless unit relative to one or more operating zones of a location based services application, comprising:

• 1) memory structure for storing:
• 1a) a first network topology definition including current network location information regarding one or more network subdivisions;
• and
• 1b) an operating zone definition including zone location information for said one or more operating zones of said location based services application, said operating zone definition being expressed in terms independent of said network topology definition;
• and
• 2) processor structure operative for:
• 2a) receiving unit location information regarding a unit location of said wireless unit;
• 2b) accessing said operating zone definition and said current network topology definition stored in said memory structure;
• 2c) performing a comparison of said unit location to said operating zone definition using said network topology definition, said network topology definition relating to areas of coverage associated with said network subdivisions.