Mobile subscriber location service

[0001] The present invention pertains to mobile communications and more particularly to a service for locating a mobile communication device subscriber.

[0002] Modern mobile telecommunications has moved from basic telephone service to a plethora of additional services. As the mobile phones and corresponding networks transition from first generation to 2.5 G and beyond, the mobile networks may provide additional features and services not included previously. These modern mobile telecommunication devices and networks provide wireless internet, wireless video services, etc.

[0003] Mobile telecommunications devices move along with their respective user. Cellular phones are commonly carried on belts or in purses and travel virtually everywhere the user does. Therefore, if the mobile telecommunication device is tracked, the person carrying the mobile telecommunication device may also be tracked.

[0004] It is advantageous for companies who provide repair services to know the location of their repair people who are in the field. Further it is advantageous for parents to know the location of their children or others inside large shopping malls, amusement parks or sporting arenas or stadiums.

[0005] Existing mobile telecommunication devices generally do not provide any non-interactive location based services for use by third parties.

[0006] Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide a location service for third parties to track the mobile telecommunication device and corresponding user of that device, so that a third party may request an instantaneous location of the device and corresponding user without interacting with the user (i.e. not placing a phone call).

[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network provided mobile device location service in accordance with the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for providing location based service of mobile telecommunication subscribers in accordance with the present invention.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an arrangement for providing location services. An arrangement 100 for providing the location services is shown. Mobile network 10 provides the location services control and methodology. Mobile telecommunication device 20 is attached or carried by a subscriber or user (not shown). Third party 30 is also coupled to network 10 and requests the location of mobile telecommunication device 20 and correspondingly its user.

[0010] Network 10 must be a 2.5 G (generation) or greater wireless network. This invention can also be applied to 2 G networks as well, but in a restricted form of a custom application running on 2 G circuit data services. The requester 30 may include a personal computer or mobile telecommunication device 30, such as a 2.5 G or greater cellular phone with display.

[0011] GPS 40 is a Global Positioning System satellite or satellites that provide information for location determination by mobile telecommunication device 20.

[0012] Similarly, base stations 50-52 may be used to multilaterate for location determination by mobile telecommunication device 20, since base stations 50-52 are fixed at specific locations. Other multilateration or trianglulation systems may also be used.

[0013] The subscriber of device 20 pre-sets in the network 10 a location service profile or list of third parties to whom he gives permission to receive location information of device 20. This provides privacy for the subscriber of device 20 since he controls who has permission to seek the location services for the mobile device 20. The subscriber's device 20 may generate location service profile that is stored in mobile network 10. The location service profile may also be generated off-line by personal computer, for example. The location service profile is a list of individuals that have permission to receive the subscriber's location information. Only the subscriber of device 20 can configure this permission list. However, the list may be modified at any time.

[0014] Mobile device 20 may embody a cellular phone that is 2.5 G or greater in capabilities. The present location service allows individuals real time access to locate the user who carries device 20 without disturbing the user, such as by placing a phone call to the user. Such location service might allow the location of children, objects such as cargo or household pets. The subscriber of device 20 can be located without disruption to normal activities. For example, an administrator may locate an executive in a business meeting -without disruption to the meeting. Furthermore a family in a park or mall or sports stadium may keep track of their children, even if the children are currently engaged in an activity such as an amusement park ride. In addition, a visually or mentally challenged person may have a device that provides family members with this location information.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 2, a flow chart of the location service methodology is shown. As a precondition, the subscriber of device 20 configures and activates his service profile in network 10 for a list of individuals authorized to request location information of the subscriber, block 61. The list of individuals authorized to request location services can be the subscriber herself/himself such that the subscriber can find a lost wireless device through a fixed network access to the public land mobile network 10 (PLMN). Next, the requesting individual 30 sends a request to mobile network 10 for the subscriber of device 20's location, block 63.

[0016] Next, mobile network 10 determines whether the requesting individual is in the location's service profile of subscriber of device 20, block 65. If not, block 65 transfers control to block 67 via the no path. Block 67 indicates that the request is denied and sends an error message to the requesting individual, block 67.

[0017] Next if the requester is in the location service profile, mobile network 10 pages the subscriber's mobile device 20 for the required location information, block 69. Device 20 then determines its position using such systems as Global Positioning System 40 or multilateration methodology using base stations 50-52 or any other method for location determination. After device 20 determines its location information, network 10 received the subscriber's location information, block 71.

[0018] Then, mobile network 10 provides the subscriber's location information to the requesting individual 30. The location may be displayed upon the individual's cell phone display, or personal computer display screen. The location information may be displayed as a mark overlayed on a map, block 73.

[0019] Optionally the subscriber of mobile device 20 is notified that the location information request has been provided to requesting individual 30 and the identity of the individual 30 who has requested the information, block 75. Then the processes for location services is ended.

[0020] Optionally the subscriber of mobile device 20 can temporarily block location reporting without disturbing the list of authorized requesters by making a temporary suspension request to the service profile. The suspension is preferred to be user account and password protected to ensure against unintentional or malicious service blockage.

[0021] The location services described herein provides a subscriber with the ability to configure a list of individuals that have permission to obtain and view his or her location. The location of the subscriber may be objectively obtained without disturbing the subscriber for an active response. Further, the location of the subscriber may be obtained in real time and periodically updated to show movement of the subscriber. The subscriber's device may be something other than the traditional pager or mobile phone. For example, it may be a chip in a dog's collar or reside on a key chain or bracelet for a child or person having disabilities. The location services feature as another integrated feature to 2.5 G or greater wireless network thereby providing substantial cost savings to the subscriber.

[0022] Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated, and that form described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the present invention or from the scope of the appended claims.