Methods and apparatus for locating portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. A mobile device, comprising:
- a positioner configured to determine geographic position information related to the device; and
a transceiver assigned a unique mobile number by a wireless communication system in which the device operates, and which is communicatively coupled to the positioner, the transceiver configured to receive position requests directed to the mobile number and to transmit the position information in response to the position requests.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile device in a wireless communication network is provided with a positioner configured to determine geographic position information related to the device. The mobile device is further provided with a transceiver assigned a unique mobile number by a wireless communication system in which the device operates, and which is communicatively coupled to the positioner. The transceiver is configured to receive position requests directed to the mobile number and to transmit the position information in response to the position requests. In one implementation, a transceiver within a particular device is activated when a call is placed through the wireless communication system to the mobile number associated with the device. The location transceiver is configured to obtain position information from the positioner, and to continuously transmit the position information to the network node, as soon as the location transceiver is activated. The network node is configured to route the position information to a location control center. At the location control center, a map of the area proximate the location of the device is generated, and the location of the device is identified on the map, based on the received position information. If the positioner is unable to determine the position information for the device when requested, the transceiver is configured to continuously transmit a tone in response to the position request.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A mobile device, comprising:
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a positioner configured to determine geographic position information related to the device; and
a transceiver assigned a unique mobile number by a wireless communication system in which the device operates, and which is communicatively coupled to the positioner, the transceiver configured to receive position requests directed to the mobile number and to transmit the position information in response to the position requests. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A wireless communication system comprising at least one network node and a plurality of wireless devices, the wireless communication system configured to associate a mobile number with each device, each device comprising:
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a positioner configured to determine position information related to the device; and
a transceiver communicatively coupled to the positioner, the transceiver configured to receive position requests directed to the respective mobile number assigned to the particular device and to transmit the position information in response to the position requests. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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16. A method of locating a mobile device in a wireless communication network, comprising:
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associating an identification number with the device;
placing a call to the identification number, when the location of the device is needed;
receiving position information from the device in response to the call; and
establishing the location of the device based on the position information.
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Specification