Position information notifying method and device

• US 20030129994A1
• Filed: 11/21/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NTT Docomo Incorporated (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation)
• Inventors: Tanibayashi, Yoichi, Yamamoto, Hiroyuki, Murata, Katsutoshi, Kosuge, Kazunori, Nagatsuma, Junko
• Granted Patent: US 7,430,422 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 Gateway arrangements

Abstract

Location information providing unit of gateway server 40 obtains location information on cellular telephone 10, 20 and 30 each produced in different expression format from measuring center 50, converts obtained location information into expression formats which IP server 80A and IP server 80B can deal with via location information converting device 60, and notifies converted location information to IP server 80A and 80B. As a result, IP server 80A and 80B can obtain location information on each cellular telephone 10, 20, and 30 without experiencing any difficulty.

Claims

1. A location information notification method comprising:

a location information producing step for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to a mobile communication network which can perform radio communication, and producing location information;

a location information converting step for converting location information which was produced in said location information producing step, for one computer among a plurality of computers which can deal with location information expressed in each inherent expression format, into location information in an expression format which said computer can deal with; and

a location information notification step for notifying said computer of location information obtained in said location information converting step.

2. A location information notification method according to claim 1,

wherein said plurality of computers are characterized by the ability to deal with location information expressed in any of the formats using latitude and longitude information, an address or a province, a Zip code, a telephone number, a station name, the name of a bus stop, or the name of a region.

3. A location information notification method according to claim 1,

wherein said location information producing step is comprised of the steps of detecting the location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network among mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds, and producing location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network.

4. A location information notification method according to claim 3,

wherein an expression format in said location information producing step is any one of:

a format expressed by identification information given to a base station of said mobile communication network;

a format expressed by identification information given to a radio communication zone of said base station of a designated number;

a format expressed by identification information given to a domain of a radio zone of said base station;

a format expressed by latitude and longitude information;

a format expressed by an address or a province;

a format expressed by a Zip code;

a format expressed by a station name;

a format expressed by the name of a bus stop;

or

a format expressed by the name of a region.

5. A location information notification method according to claim 1

wherein said location information notification step comprises:

a step for notifying said computer that said location information can be notified;

a step for receiving a request for said location information from said computer; and

a step for transmitting, said produced location information to said computer in response to receiving said request.

6. A location information notification method according to claim 1 comprising:

an error notifying step for notifying said computer of an error message that location information can not be produced when location information could not be produced by said location information producing step.

7. A location information notification method according to claim 6

wherein location information on each mobile communication terminal is produced in an expression format inherent to each mobile communication network among a plurality of mobile communication networks in said location information producing step.

8. A location information notification method according to claim 1

wherein said location information producing step, said location information converting step, and said location information notification step, are periodically and repeatedly carried out.

9. A location information notification method according to claim 8 further comprising:

a notification interval information storing step for storing notification interval information which designates a time interval in which location information should be produced in a storing means.

10. A location information notification method according to claim 9

wherein said location information producing step comprises:

a step for obtaining said notification interval information from said storing means; and

a step for producing said location information by an interval designated by said notification interval information.

11. A location information notification method according to claim 9

wherein said notification interval storing step stores notification interval information designated by any of the other communication terminals which are connected with said mobile communication terminal, said computer or said mobile communication network by a network.

12. A location information notification method according to claim 8 further comprising:

a location information notification determining step for determining whether said location information can be notified on the basis of the designated basis information,

wherein said location information producing step produces said location information when notification is determined to be possible by said location information notification determining step.

13. A location information notification method according to claim 12

wherein said basis information is information indicating a period of time in which communication is possible.

14. A location information notification method according to claim 12

wherein said basis information is information indicating a computer which is an object of notifying.

15. A location information notification method according to claim 8 comprising:

an error notifying step for notifying said computer of an error notice that location information can not be produced when location information could not be produced by said location information producing step.

16. A location information notification method according to claim 8

wherein said location information notification step comprises:

a step for notifying said computer that said location information can be notified;

a step for receiving a request for said location information from said computer; and

a step for transmitting, said produced location information in response to received said request.

17. A location information notification method according to claim 1 comprising:

a forwarding request receiving step for receiving, along with said location information, a request for forwarding said location information to other computer from a computer which received a notice of location information;

a converting step for converting said received location information into an expression format which said other computer can deal with; and

a forwarding step for notifying said other computer of said location information whose expression format was converted.

18. A location information notification method according to claim 17

wherein location information on a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network within a mobile communication network of a plurality of kinds is detected, and location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing step.

19. A location information notification method according to claim 17

wherein said forwarding step comprises:

a step for notifying said other computer that said location information can be notified;

a step for receiving a request for said location information from said other computer; and

a step for transmitting said location information to said other computer as said request is received.

20. A location information notification method comprising:

a location information producing step for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal and producing its location information;

a location information converting step, when location information produced in said location information producing step is notified to a plurality of computers, for converting the location information into expression formats of said each computer from said produced expression format;

a location information transmitting step for transmitting location information on a plurality of kinds which were converted into each said expression format to said plurality of computers.

21. A location information notification method according to claim 20

wherein a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network within mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds is detected, and location information expressed in an expression format inherent to this mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing step.

22. A location information notification method according to claim 20

wherein said location information producing step, said location information converting step and said location information transmitting step are periodically and repeatedly carried out.

23. A location information notification method according to claim 20

wherein said location information transmitting step comprises:

a step for receiving a request for said location information from at least one of said plurality of computers;

a step for simultaneously transmitting a notice that said location information can be notified to said plurality of computers; and

a step for transmitting said produced location information to said computer, which requested a location information as said request is received.

24. A location information notification method comprising:

a request receiving step for receiving a notice request from a first computer for notifying a location information to a second computer among a plurality of computers which can deal with location information expressed in each inherent expression format;

a location information producing step for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal and producing its location information;

a location information converting step for converting said location information produced in said location information producing step into a location information in an expression format compatible with said second computer; and

a location information notification step for notifying said second computer of a location information converted into said expression format.

25. A location information notification method according to claim 24

wherein a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network among mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds is detected, and a location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing step.

26. A location information notification method according to claim 24

wherein said location information notification step comprises:

a step for receiving a request for said location information from said first computer;

a step for notifying said first computer that said location information can be notified; and

a step for transmitting said produced location information to said second computer as said request is received.

27. A location information notification method according to claim 24 comprising:

an outcome notification step for notifying said first computer of an outcome of notifying said second computer of a location information in said location information notification step.

28. A location information notification method according to claim 24 comprising:

a determining step for determining whether a location information can be notified to said second computer;

wherein said location information notification step notifies of said location information on the basis of a result of said determining step.

29. A location information notification device comprising:

a location information producing means for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to a mobile communication network which can perform radio communication, and producing location information;

a location information converting means for converting location information which was produced in said location information producing means, for one computer among a plurality of computers which can deal with location information expressed in each inherent expression format, into location information in an expression format which said computer can deal with; and

a location information notification means for notifying said computer of location information obtained in said location information converting means.

30. A location information notification device according to claim 29,

wherein said plurality of computers are characterized by the ability to deal with location information expressed in any of the formats using latitude and longitude information, an address or a province, a Zip code, a telephone number, a station name, the name of a bus stop, or the name of a region.

31. A location information notification device according to claim 29,

wherein said location information producing means is comprised of the means of detecting the location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network among mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds, and producing location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network.

32. A location information notification device according to claim 31,

wherein an expression format in said location information producing means is any one of:

a format expressed by identification information given to a base station of said mobile communication network;

a format expressed by identification information given to a radio communication zone of said base station of a designated number;

a format expressed by identification information given to a domain of a radio zone of said base station;

a format expressed by latitude and longitude information;

a format expressed by an address or a province;

a format expressed by a Zip code;

a format expressed by a station name;

a format expressed by the name of a bus stop;

or

a format expressed by the name of a region.

33. A location information notification device according to claim 29

wherein said location information notification means comprises:

a means for notifying said computer that said location information can be notified;

a means for receiving a request for said location information from said computer; and

a means for transmitting, said produced location information to said computer in response to receiving said request.

34. A location information notification device according to claim 29 comprising:

an error notification means for notifying said computer of an error message that location information can not be produced when location information could not be produced by said location information producing means.

35. A location information notification device according to claim 34

wherein location information on each mobile communication terminal is produced in an expression format inherent to each mobile communication network among a plurality of mobile communication networks in said location information producing means.

36. A location information notification device according to claim 29

wherein said location information producing means, said location information converting means, and said location information notification means, are periodically and repeatedly carried out.

37. A location information notification device according to claim 36 further comprising:

a notification interval information storing means for storing notification interval information which designates a time interval in which location information should be produced in a storing means.

38. A location information notification device according to claim 37

wherein said location information producing means comprises:

a means for obtaining said notification interval information from said storing means; and

a means for producing said location information by an interval designated by said notification interval information.

39. A location information notification device according to claim 37

wherein said notification interval storing means stores notification interval information designated by any of the other communication terminals which are connected with said mobile communication terminal, said computer or said mobile communication network by a network.

40. A location information notification device according to claim 36 further comprising:

a location information notification determining means for determining whether said location information can be notified on the basis of the designated basis information,

wherein said location information producing means produces said location information when notification is determined to be possible by said location information notification determining means.

41. A location information notification device according to claim 40

wherein said basis information is information indicating a period of time in which communication is possible.

42. A location information notification device according to claim 40

wherein said basis information is information indicating a computer which is an object of notification.

43. A location information notification device according to claim 36 comprising:

an error notification means for notifying said computer of an error notice that location information can not be produced when location information could not be produced by said location information producing means.

44. A location information notification device according to claim 36

wherein said location information notification means comprises:

a means for notifying said computer that said location information can be notified;

a means for receiving a request for said location information from said computer; and

a means for transmitting, said produced location information in response to received said request.

45. A location information notification device according to claim 29 comprising:

a forwarding request receiving means for receiving, along with said location information, a request for forwarding said location information to other computer from a computer which received a notice of location information;

a converting means for converting said received location information into an expression format which said other computer can deal with; and

a forwarding means for notifying said other computer of said location information whose expression format was converted.

46. A location information notification device according to claim 45

wherein location information on a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network within a mobile communication network of a plurality of kinds is detected, and location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing means.

47. A location information notification device according to claim 45

wherein said forwarding means comprises:

a means for notifying said other computer that said location information can be notified;

a means for receiving a request for said location information from said other computer; and

a means for transmitting said location information to said other computer as said request is received.

48. A location information notification device comprising:

a location information producing means for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal and producing its location information;

a location information converting means, when location information produced in said location information producing means is notified to a plurality of computers, for converting the location information into expression formats of said each computer from said produced expression format;

a location information transmitting means for transmitting location information on a plurality of kinds which were converted into each said expression format to said plurality of computers.

49. A location information notification device according to claim 48

wherein a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network within mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds is detected, and location information expressed in an expression format inherent to this mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing means.

50. A location information notification device according to claim 48

wherein said location information producing means, said location information converting means and said location information transmitting means are periodically and repeatedly carried out.

51. A location information notification device according to claim 48

wherein said location information transmitting means comprises:

a means for receiving a request for said location information from at least one of said plurality of computers;

a means for simultaneously transmitting a notice that said location information can be notified to said plurality of computers; and

a means for transmitting said produced location information to said computer which requested a location information as said request is received.

52. A location information notification device comprising:

a request receiving means for receiving a notice request from a first computer for notifying a location information to a second computer among a plurality of computers which can deal with location information expressed in each inherent expression format;

a location information producing means for detecting a location of a mobile communication terminal and producing its location information;

a location information converting means for converting said location information produced in said location information producing means into a location information in an expression format compatible with said second computer; and

a location information notification means for notifying said second computer of a location information converted into said expression format.

53. A location information notification device according to claim 52

wherein a location of a mobile communication terminal belonging to any mobile communication network among mobile communication networks of a plurality of kinds is detected, and a location information expressed in an expression format inherent to the mobile communication network is produced in said location information producing means.

54. A location information notification device according to claim 52

wherein said location information notification means comprises:

a means for receiving a request for said location information from said first computer;

a means for notifying said first computer that said location information can be notified; and

a means for transmitting said produced location information to said second computer as said request is received.

55. A location information notification device according to claim 52 comprising:

an outcome notification means for notifying said first computer of an outcome of notifying said second computer of a location information in said location information notification means.

56. A location information notification device according to claim 52 comprising:

a determining means for determining whether a location information can be notified to said second computer;

wherein said location information notification means notifies of said location information on the basis of a result of said determining means.