Wireless network location-based reference information

• US 20050020287A1
• Filed: 07/21/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telecommunications de Levante SL (Liberty Global Plc)
• Original Assignee: Telecommunications de Levante SL (Liberty Global Plc)
• Inventors: Helme, Steve, Groen, Joel, Pohutsky, Joseph
• Granted Patent: US 7,899,473 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

The present invention provides a ‘411xx’ value added service to wireless users. The disclosed ‘411xx’ service allows a mobile user who may be unfamiliar with their current geographic location to nevertheless obtain quick, accurate, and current information relating to the geographic area, e.g., different services in their current location, stores, libraries, gas stations, etc., via a mobile terminated (MT) short message system (SMS) message. In addition to the traditional ‘4-1-1’ dialed digits, a mobile user would also dial a number (or numbers) representing a feature code for a particular service, e.g., nearby ATMs, or traffic information. Upon receiving a 411xx call, the MSC generates an ORREQ/TCAP trigger based on a translation of the requested service represented by the extra ‘xx’ digits. The 411xx call is terminated on the MSC after an audible whisper notice plays to the caller, e.g., “thank you for calling, your requested information will be sent momentarily”.

Claims

1. A method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network, comprising:

receiving an information telephone call from a subscriber, a telephone number initiating said telephone call including at least one auxiliary digit beyond those associated with the information telephone call;

using a location-based wireless service to obtain a location of said subscriber;

retrieving a short message relating to said location based on requested information associated with said at least one auxiliary digit; and

transmitting said retrieved short message to said subscriber.

2. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

at least two auxiliary digits are included with said information telephone call.

3. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said information telephone call is initiated with dialed digits “

4-1-1”

.

4. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is obtained using wireless or cellular network signaling.

5. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said obtained short message is transmitted to said subscriber substantially while said subscriber remains at said determined location.

6. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using an angle of arrival of a wireless signal from said subscriber.

7. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using a network generated location based on a centroid of a cell site sector'"'"'s radio frequency (RF) polygon.

8. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using a time difference of arrival of wireless signals from said subscriber.

9. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using time of arrival of a wireless signal from said subscriber.

10. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 1, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using the known location of a cell/sector servicing said subscriber.

11. A method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network, comprising:

receiving an information telephone call from a subscriber, a telephone number initiating said telephone call including at least one auxiliary digit beyond those associated with the information telephone call;

using a location-based wireless service to obtain a location of said subscriber;

retrieving a short message relating to said location based on requested information associated with said at least one auxiliary digit; and

transmitting said retrieved short message to said subscriber.

12. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

at least two auxiliary digits are included with said information telephone call.

13. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said information telephone call is initiated with dialed digits “

4-1-1”

.

14. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is obtained using wireless or cellular network signaling.

15. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said obtained short message is transmitted to said subscriber substantially while said subscriber remains at said determined location.

16. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using an angle of arrival of a wireless signal from said subscriber.

17. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using a time difference of arrival of wireless signals from said subscriber.

18. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using time of arrival of a wireless signal from said subscriber.

19. The method of providing location-based reference information in a wireless network according to claim 11, wherein:

said location of said subscriber is determined using the known location of a cell/sector servicing said subscriber.