NETWORK INDEPENDENT LOCATION SERVICES

• US 20080228654A1
• Filed: 03/11/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Edge, Stephen W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,083,745 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/71
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Techniques for supporting network independent location services (LCS) are described. In one design, a location center may communicate with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with the location center for location services. The location center may establish the account for the terminal independent of a home network or a serving network for the terminal. During signup to establish the account, the location center may (i) provide address information for the location center, security information, and/or other information for the location center and (ii) receive public identity information and/or other information for the terminal. The location center may thereafter provide location services to the terminal based on the established account and without interacting with the home or serving network for the terminal. Techniques for supporting delivery of assistance data are also described.

Claims

1. A method of supporting location services, comprising:

communicating with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with a location center for location services; and

providing location services to the terminal based on the established account.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the account for the terminal is established independent of a home network for the terminal, and wherein location services are provided to the terminal without interacting with the home network or a serving network for the terminal.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account; and

receiving public identity information for the terminal during the signup.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing location services to the terminal comprises

sending a request for location service to the terminal based on the public identity information, and

establishing secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the providing location services to the terminal comprises

receiving a request for location service sent by the terminal based on the address information, and

establishing secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the address information comprises at least one of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the location center, wherein the security information comprises at least one secret key, and wherein the public identity information comprises at least one of a Mobile Directory Number (MDN), a Mobile Station International ISDN Number (MSISDN), and a public user Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) URI for the terminal.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account for the terminal;

providing address information for the location center and a secret key in response to the request;

receiving access by the terminal based on the address information;

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on the secret key; and

activating service for the terminal after successful mutual authentication.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account and public identity information for the terminal;

sending a request for service activation to the terminal based on the public identity information; and

receiving a confirmation of service activation from the terminal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account and public identity information for the terminal;

providing address information for the location center and a secret key in response to the request;

sending a request for service activation to the terminal based on the public identity information;

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on the secret key; and

activating service for the terminal after successful mutual authentication.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account and public identity information for the terminal;

providing address information for the location center and a secret key in response to the request;

receiving a request for service activation sent by the terminal based on the address information;

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on the secret key; and

activating service for the terminal after successful mutual authentication.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account for the terminal;

providing a first secret key in response to the request;

sending a request for service activation and a second secret key to the terminal based on the public identity information;

generating a third secret key based on the first and second secret keys;

receiving a location request from the terminal;

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on the third secret key; and

activating service for the terminal after successful mutual authentication.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to set up the account for the terminal;

providing login and password information in response to the request;

establishing secure communication with the terminal based on the login and password information;

receiving public identity information for the terminal; and

sending address information for the location center and security information to the terminal.

13. An apparatus for supporting location services, comprising:

at least one processor to communicate with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with a location center for location services, and to provide location services to the terminal based on the established account; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor provides address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account, and receives public identity information for the terminal during the signup.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor sends a request for location service to the terminal based on the public identity information, and establishes secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one processor receives a request for location service sent by the terminal based on the address information, and establishes secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

17. An apparatus for supporting location services, comprising:

means for communicating with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with a location center for location services; and

means for providing location services to the terminal based on the established account.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

means for providing address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account; and

means for receiving public identity information for the terminal during the signup.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for providing location services to the terminal comprises

means for sending a request for location service to the terminal based on the public identity information, and

means for establishing secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the means for providing location services to the terminal comprises

means for receiving a request for location service sent by the terminal based on the address information, and

means for establishing secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

21. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

code for causing at least one computer to communicate with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with a location center for location services; and

code for causing the at least one computer to provide location services to the terminal based on the established account.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing the at least one computer to provide address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account; and

code for causing the at least one computer to receive public identity information for the terminal during the signup.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing the at least one computer to send a request for location service to the terminal based on the public identity information; and

code for causing the at least one computer to establish secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

24. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises:

code for causing the at least one computer to receive a request for location service sent by the terminal based on the address information; and

code for causing the at least one computer to establish secure communication with the terminal for the location service based on the security information.

25. A method of obtaining location services, comprising:

communicating with a location center to establish an account for a terminal with the location center for location services; and

obtaining location services from the location center based on the established account.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the account with the location center is established independent of a home network for the terminal, and wherein location services are obtained from the location center without interacting with the home network or a serving network for the terminal.

27. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account; and

securely storing the address information and the security information.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the obtaining location services comprises

receiving a request for location service from the location center, and

establishing secure communication with the location center for the location service based on the security information.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the obtaining location services comprises

sending a request for location service to the location center based on the address information, and

establishing secure communication with the location center for the location service based on the security information.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein the address information comprises at least one of a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the location center, and wherein the security information comprises at least one secret key.

31. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving address information for the location center and a secret key provided by the location center;

accessing the location center based on the address information;

performing mutual authentication with the location center based on the secret key; and

activating service with the location center after successful mutual authentication.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving a request for service activation from the location center;

querying for user authorization of the service activation; and

sending a confirmation of service activation to the location center in response to receiving the user authorization.

33. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving address information for the location center and a secret key provided by the location center;

receiving a request for service activation from the location center;

performing mutual authentication with the location center based on the secret key; and

activating service with the location center after successful mutual authentication.

34. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

receiving address information for the location center and a secret key provided by the location center;

sending a request for service activation to the location center based on the address information;

performing mutual authentication with the location center based on the secret key; and

activating service with the location center after successful mutual authentication.

35. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

obtaining a first secret key via user input;

receiving a request for service activation and a second secret key from the location center;

generating a third secret key based on the first and second secret keys;

sending a location request to the location center;

performing mutual authentication with the location center based on the third key; and

activating service with the location center after successful mutual authentication.

36. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

obtaining login and password information provided by the location center;

establishing secure communication with the location center based on the login and password information;

providing public identity information to the location center; and

receiving address information for the location center and security information from the location center.

37. An apparatus for obtaining location services, comprising:

at least one processor to communicate with a location center to establish an account for a terminal with the location center for location services, and to obtain location services from the location center based on the established account; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one processor establishes the account with the location center independent of a home network for the terminal, and obtains location services from the location center without interacting with the home network or a serving network for the terminal.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the at least one processor receives address information for the location center and security information during signup to establish the account, and wherein the memory securely stores the address information and the security information.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the at least one processor receives a request for location service from the location center, and establishes secure communication with the location center for the location service based on the security information.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the at least one processor sends a request for location service to the location center based on the address information, and establishes secure communication with the location center for the location service based on the security information.

42. A method of supporting location services, comprising:

performing mutual authentication with a terminal without having an account for the terminal; and

providing location services to the terminal after successful mutual authentication with the terminal.

43. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on a unique secret key for the terminal;

generating at least one mutual secret key after successful mutual authentication; and

using the at least one mutual secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

44. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on a secret key applicable for a plurality of terminals including the terminal;

generating at least one mutual secret key after successful mutual authentication; and

using the at least one mutual secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

45. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on a public key for a location center;

generating at least one secret key after successful mutual authentication; and

using the at least one secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

46. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

performing mutual authentication with the terminal based on a public key for a location center and a public key security certificate for the terminal;

generating at least one secret key after successful mutual authentication; and

using the at least one secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

47. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving a request for assistance data from the terminal; and

downloading requested assistance data to the terminal.

48. The method of claim 42, further comprising:

receiving measured data from the terminal; and

updating a database of assistance data based on the measured data.

49. An apparatus for supporting location services, comprising:

at least one processor to perform mutual authentication with a terminal without having an account for the terminal, and to provide location services to the terminal after successful mutual authentication with the terminal; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

50. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor performs mutual authentication with the terminal based on a unique secret key for the terminal, generates at least one mutual secret key after successful mutual authentication, and uses the at least one mutual secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

51. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor performs mutual authentication with the terminal based on a secret key applicable for a plurality of terminals including the terminal, generates at least one mutual secret key after successful mutual authentication, and uses the at least one mutual secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

52. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor performs mutual authentication with the terminal based on a public key for a location center, generates at least one secret key after successful mutual authentication, and uses the at least one secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

53. The apparatus of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor performs mutual authentication with the terminal based on a public key for a location center and a public key security certificate for the terminal, generates at least one secret key after successful mutual authentication, and uses the at least one secret key for secure communication with the terminal.

54. A method of supporting location services, comprising:

communicating with the terminal for location service; and

providing to the terminal terrestrial assistance data for a geographic area larger than a current coverage area of the terminal.

55. The method of claim 54, further comprising:

determining the geographic area based on areas where the terminal is likely to be located.

56. The method of claim 54, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises providing terrestrial assistance data for base stations within a predetermined distance of a current location of the terminal.

57. The method of claim 54, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises

receiving information indicative of base stations encountered by the terminal,

determining the geographic area based on areas encompassing the previously encountered base stations, and

providing terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the geographic area.

58. The method of claim 54, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises

receiving information indicative of locations visited by the terminal,

determining the geographic area based on areas encompassing the visited locations, and

providing terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the geographic area.

59. The method of claim 54, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises sending at least one Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) message comprising the terrestrial assistance data to the terminal.

60. An apparatus for supporting location services, comprising:

at least one processor to communicate with the terminal for location service, and to provide to the terminal terrestrial assistance data for a geographic area larger than a current coverage area of the terminal; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

61. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one processor provides terrestrial assistance data for base stations within a predetermined distance of a current location of the terminal.

62. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one processor receives information indicative of base stations encountered by the terminal, determines the geographic area based on areas encompassing the previously encountered base stations, and provides terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the geographic area.

63. The apparatus of claim 60, wherein the at least one processor receives information indicative of locations visited by the terminal, determines the geographic area based on areas encompassing the visited locations, and provides terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the geographic area.

64. A method of supporting location services, comprising:

receiving a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) message comprising measured data from a terminal; and

updating a database of terrestrial assistance data based on the measured data; and

65. The method of claim 64, wherein the measured data comprises at least one of a cell identity (ID) of a serving cell, timing advance (TA) for the serving cell, received signal level of the serving cell, received signal level of at least one neighbor cell, base station latitude and longitude, timing difference between two cells, timing drift between two cells, timing difference between a cell and an absolute time source, timing drift between a cell and an absolute time source, satellite (e.g., GPS) measurements, a location estimate, a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of an access point, transmit power of the access point, antenna gain of the access point, received signal-to-noise ratio of the access point, signal strength of the access point, 802.11 type of the access point, real time difference (RTD) for the access point, reported location of the access point, transmit power of the terminal, antenna gain of the terminal, and signal-to-noise ratio for the terminal at the access point.

66. An apparatus for supporting location services, comprising:

at least one processor to receive a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) message comprising measured data from a terminal, and to update a database of terrestrial assistance data based on the measured data; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

67. The apparatus of claim 66, wherein the measured data comprises at least one of a cell identity (ID) of a serving cell, timing advance (TA) for the serving cell, received signal level of the serving cell, received signal level of at least one neighbor cell, base station latitude and longitude, timing difference between two cells, timing drift between two cells, timing difference between a cell and an absolute time source, timing drift between a cell and an absolute time source, satellite (e.g., GPS) measurements, a location estimate, a Medium Access Control (MAC) address of an access point, transmit power of the access point, antenna gain of the access point, received signal-to-noise ratio of the access point, signal strength of the access point, 802.11 type of the access point, real time difference (RTD) for the access point, reported location of the access point, transmit power of the terminal, antenna gain of the terminal, and signal-to-noise ratio for the terminal at the access point.