Position information distribution server, position information distribution method, position information distribution program, and position information transmission system

• US 10,200,851 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2017
• Issued: 02/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Genetec Incorporated (Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Genetec Incorporated (Noritsu Koki Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Gotoh, Yoshihito, Ueno, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lam, Dung L
• Application Number:
  US15/585,385
• Publication Number:
  US 20170238165A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-4566, 455457, 4554041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/04 Registration at HLR or HSS [Home Subscriber Server]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A position information distribution server includes: a communication unit that is provided outside a core network and receives identification information of a cellular phone and position information of the cellular phone from base transceiver stations, switching centers, VLRs, or an HLR; and a recording unit that records a first table including information to specify a server transmitting the position information among position information provision servers, for each identification information of the cellular phone. The position information provision servers are servers that provide position information services for transmitting the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to information terminals. When the communication unit receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone, the communication unit transmits the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to a server shown in the first table among the position information provision servers.

Claims

1. A position information distribution server comprising:

a transmitter;

a receiver configured to receive identification information of a cellular phone and position information of the cellular phone from base transceiver stations, switching centers, VLRs, or an HLR;

a processor; and

a storage configured to record a first table including information to specify a server transmitting the position information among position information provision servers, for each identification information of the cellular phone,

wherein;

the position information distribution server is provided outside a core network of a communication carrier;

the core network includes facilities of the communication carrier;

each of the position information provision servers provides position information services for transmitting the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to information terminals;

when the receiver of the position information distribution server receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone, the processor of the position information distribution server is configured to perform a first determination whether the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers on the basis of the first table;

when the processor of the position information distribution server determines that the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination, the processor of the position information distribution server is configured to designate one or more of the position information provision servers based on the first determination and to transmit the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the one or more of the position information provision servers;

position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes latitude/longitude information of the cellular phone, identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations; and

position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the cellular phone, the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations.

2. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

the identification information of the cellular phone is at least one of identification information of a terminal of the cellular phone and identification information of an SIM card attached to the cellular phone.

3. The position information distribution server according to claim 2, wherein

the identification information of the cellular phone is the identification information of the SIM card attached to the cellular phone, and

the identification information of the SIM card attached to the cellular phone is an ICCID.

4. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

the first table is updated on the basis of information transmitted from each of the position information provision servers.

5. The position information distribution server according to claim 4, wherein

the position information distribution server records the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone received from the base transceiver station, the switching centers, the VLRs, or the HLR as a first position information database;

when the first table is updated, the position information distribution server further determines whether information recorded in the updated table is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination; and

when the processor of the position information distribution server determines that the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination, the processor of the position information distribution server is configured to designate one or more of the position information provision servers based on the first determination and transmits the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the one or more of the position information provision servers.

6. The position information distribution server according to claim 5,

wherein

the position information distribution server performs a second determination whether the first table is updated such that a new setting for transmitting the position information to any of the position information provision servers is added, and

the position information distribution server transmits the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the server when the position information distribution server determined the first table was updated in the second determination.

7. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

at the time of position registration communication for the HLR, the position information distribution server receives a part of information included in information transmitted to the HLR as the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone.

8. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

the position information distribution server receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone from mobile switching centers in the switching centers, not through gateway mobile switching centers in the switching centers.

9. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

the position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes the identification information or height information of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the identification information or height information of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations,

the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the height information of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the height information of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, and

the height information of the base transceiver station shows a mean elevation of call area of the base transceiver station and the height information of the base transceiver station area shows a mean elevation of call area of the base transceiver station area.

10. The position information distribution server according to claim 1, wherein

the position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes positioning accuracy information, and

the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the positioning accuracy information.

11. The position information distribution server according to claim 1,

wherein the position information distribution server is provided outside the core network, such that the position information distribution server provides the position information without increasing a load on the facilities of the communication carrier.

12. A position information distribution method in a position information distribution server, the method comprising, causing a processor of the position information distribution server to perform the following steps of:

a reception step of causing a position information distribution server to receive identification information of a cellular phone and position information of the cellular phone from base transceiver stations, switching centers, VLRs, or an HLR; and

when the processor of the position information distribution server receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone, performing a first determination whether the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers on the basis of a first table, wherein the first table includes information to specify a server transmitting the position information among position information provision servers, for each identification information of the cellular phone; and

designating one or more of the position information provision servers and transmit the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the one or more of the position information provision servers, when the processor of the position information distribution server determines that the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination,

wherein

the position information distribution server is provided outside a core network of a communication carrier,

the core network includes facilities of the communication carrier,

the position information provision servers provide position information services for transmitting the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to information terminals,

position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes latitude/longitude information of the cellular phone, identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, and

position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the cellular phone, the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations.

13. The position information distribution method according to claim 12,

wherein the position information distribution server is provided outside the core network, such that the position information distribution server provides the position information without increasing a load on the facilities of the communication carrier.

14. A position information distribution program in a position information distribution server, causing a processor of the position information distribution server to execute the steps of:

a reception step of receiving identification information of a cellular phone and position information of the cellular phone from base transceiver stations, switching centers, VLRs, or an HLR; and

when the position information distribution server receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone, performing a first determination whether the position information is to be transmitted to any of position information provision servers on the basis of a first table, wherein the first table includes information to specify a server transmitting the position information among position information provision servers, for each identification information of the cellular phone; and

when the processor of the information distribution server determines that the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination, designating one or more of the position information provision servers to which the position information is to be transmitted, based on the first determination, and transmitting the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the one or more of the position information provision servers,

wherein the position information distribution server is provided outside a core network of a communication carrier,

the core network includes facilities of the communication carrier,

the position information provision servers provide position information services for transmitting the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to information terminals,

position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes latitude/longitude information of the cellular phone, identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, and

position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the cellular phone, the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations.

15. The position information distribution program according to claim 14,

wherein the position information distribution server is provided outside the core network, such that the position information distribution server provides the position information without increasing a load on the facilities of the communication carrier.

16. A position information transmission system comprising:

position information provision servers, each of which comprises processor and storage; and

a position information distribution server comprising processor and storage configured to receive identification information of a cellular phone and position information of the cellular phone from base transceiver stations, switching centers, VLRs, or an HLR,

wherein;

the storage of the position information distribution server is configured to record a first table including information to specify a server transmitting the position information among position information provision servers, for each identification information of the cellular phone;

the position information distribution server is provided outside a core network of a communication carrier;

the core network includes facilities of the communication carrier;

the processors of the position information provision servers are configured to provide position information services for transmitting the position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to information terminals;

when the position information distribution server receives the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone, the processor of the position information distribution server is configured to perform a first determination a first determination whether the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers on the basis of the first table;

when the processor of the position information distribution server determines that the position information is to be transmitted to any of the position information provision servers in the first determination, the processor of the position information distribution server is configured to designate one or more of the position information provision servers based on the first determination and to transmit the identification information and the position information of the cellular phone to the one or more of the position information provision servers;

position information received by the position information distribution server in the position information includes latitude/longitude information of the cellular phone, identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or identification information or latitude/longitude information of a base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations; and

position information transmitted from the position information distribution server to the position information provision servers in the position information includes the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the cellular phone, the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations, or the latitude/longitude information or an area name of the base transceiver station area including the base transceiver station performing communication with the cellular phone among the base transceiver stations.

17. The position information transmission system according to claim 16,

wherein the position information distribution server is provided outside the core network, such that the position information distribution server provides the position information without increasing a load on the facilities of the communication carrier.