Apparatus, system, and method for location information management in a portable communication device

• US 20070149211A1
• Filed: 12/22/2005
• Published: 06/28/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Chang, Henry, Kalhan, Amit, Dunn, Doug
• Granted Patent: US 8,165,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/142 over the same radio air interface technology
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• 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 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An apparatus, system, and method for managing geographical location information of a portable communication device by determining and storing the geographic location information while registered on a cellular communication system in response to detecting an available wireless local area network (WLAN) system. When the portable communication device is communicating on the cellular communication system and a WLAN access point is detected, a location determination procedure is performed and the resulting geographical location information is stored at the portable communication device. When the portable communication device is communicating with a wireless access point of a WLAN system, and a second access point is detected, the portable communication device registers to the cellular communication network, if not already registered, and performs the geographical location determination procedure. Geographical location information is transmitted to a public safety answering point (PSAP) or network entity when an emergency call is executed.

Claims

1. A method for location information management performed in a portable communication device, the method comprising:

in response to detecting an available alternate wireless communication system, determining geographic location information of a portable communication device while registered on a cellular communication system; and

storing the geographic location information at the portable communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the geographic location information through the alternate wireless network to a public safety answering point (PSAP).

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting the geographic location information to the public safety answering point (PSAP) through a position determination entity.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the geographic location information through the cellular communication system to a public safety answering point (PSAP).

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the transmitting comprises:

transmitting the geographic location information to the public safety answering point (PSAP) through a position determination entity.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the available alternate wireless communication system comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) system.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining comprises:

detecting the WLAN system while communicating through the cellular communication network.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining the geographical location information based on location data received from a global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining further comprises:

determining the geographical location information from location data received from the cellular network.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining comprises:

when communicating with a first WLAN access point, determining geographic location information in response to detecting a second WLAN access point.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the storing comprises:

storing geographical location information corresponding to a plurality of locations associated with a plurality of WLAN coverage areas.

12. A portable communication device comprising:

a transceiver configured receive signals to exchange signals with a cellular base station;

a controller configured to determine geographical location information in response to detecting an available alternate wireless communication system while the portable communication device is registered on the cellular communication system; and

a memory configured to store the geographic location information at the portable communication device.

13. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein the available alternate wireless communication system comprises a wireless local area network (WLAN) system.

14. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to detect the WLAN system while the portable communication device is communicating through the cellular communication network.

15. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein the controller is further configured to detect, while the portable communication device is communicating through a WLAN coverage area, another WLAN coverage area.

16. The portable communication device of claim 12, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the geographic location information through the alternate wireless network to an emergency public safety answering point (PSAP).

17. The portable communication device of claim 13, wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the geographic location information through the cellular communication system.

18. The portable communication device of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to determine the geographical location information based on location data received from a global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

19. A dual mode portable communication device comprising:

detecting means for detecting a wireless local area network (WLAN) system while communicating within a cellular system;

location determination means for determining, in response to the detecting, geographical location information based on location data received at the portable communication device;

storing means for storing the geographical location information; and

transmitting means for transmitting the geographical location information after an emergency call is initiated from the portable communication device.