APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING MOBILE TERMINALS

• US 20080096579A1
• Filed: 10/19/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Original Assignee: Vodafone Group PLC
• Inventors: Gill, Trevor
• Granted Patent: US 8,254,951 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 11/06 using intensity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0244 Accuracy or reliability of position solution or of measurements contributing thereto
• 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 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A beacon device is disclosed for transmitting a proximity indication signal. When a mobile terminal is in proximity to the beacon device the mobile device receives the proximity indication signal and transmits a signal indicative thereof to the network with which it is registered in order to receive discounted calls because it is deemed to be within a special zone (such as the house of the user of the mobile terminal. The device is able to detect movement of device and to inhibit generation of the proximity indication signal to the mobile terminal when movement is detected. In order to detect movement, the device includes means for recording the pattern of selected ambient radio signals to derive a typical value range, means for measuring the ambient radio signals to produce a measurement value, means for comparing the measurement value with the value range to determine whether the device has been moved, and means for selectively enabling transmission of a proximity indication signal to the mobile terminal in dependence upon the determination of the comparing means.

Claims

1. A device for selectively providing a signal receivable by an associated mobile terminal in proximity to the device, comprising:

means for recording the pattern of selected ambient radio signals to derive a typical value range;

means for measuring the ambient radio signals to produce a measurement value;

means for comparing the measurement value with the value range to determine whether the device has been moved; and

means for selectively enabling transmission of a proximity indication signal to the mobile terminal in dependence upon the determination of the comparing means.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the proximity indication signal is only transmitted when the measurement value is within the value range.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted by Bluetooth.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said ambient radio signals are signals from one or more mobile telecommunications networks.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the ambient radio signals are signals from one or more base stations of said one or more mobile telecommunications networks.

6. The device of claim 4, adapted to receive and interpret information from at least one of the mobile telecommunications networks relating to the ambient radio signals and for modifying how the typical value range is derived in dependence thereon.

7. The device of claim 4, adapted to selectively temporarily ignore signals from one of the mobile telecommunications networks.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal is adapted to receive the proximity indication signal.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the mobile terminal is operable to transmit a message to a mobile telecommunications network with which it is registered while said proximity indication signal is received.

10. A method for selectively providing a signal receivable by an associated mobile terminal in proximity to a beacon device, the method including:

recording the pattern of selected ambient radio signals to derive a typical value range;

measuring the ambient radio signals to produce a measurement value;

comparing the measurement value with the value range to determine whether the beacon device has been moved; and

selectively enabling transmission of a proximity indication signal to the mobile terminal in dependence upon the determination of the comparison step.

11. The method of claim 10, further including transmitting the proximity indication signal is only when the measurement value is within the value range.

12. The method of either of claim 10, wherein said ambient radio signals are signals from one or more mobile telecommunications networks.

13. The method of claim 12, further including:

receiving information from at least one of the mobile telecommunications networks relating to the ambient radio signals;

interpreting said information; and

modifying how the typical value range is derived in dependence thereon.

14. The device of claim 12, further including selectively and temporarily ignoring signals from one of the mobile telecommunications networks.