LOCATION TRACKING OF MOBILE PHONE USING GPS FUNCTION

• US 20080231499A1
• Filed: 03/22/2007
• Published: 09/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated (Kyndryl Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kim, Jonghae, Kim, Moon J., Plouchart, Jean-Oliver
• Granted Patent: US 8,121,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/146
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• 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: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A system, method, service and mobile device are disclosed for providing a location of the mobile device. The invention utilizes a mobile phone with a global positioning system (GPS) module which is located in a wireless network. A third party device is able to submit a location query to a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO). This location query includes the mobile phone'"'"'s telephone number. Using the telephone number, the MTSO determines the base station with which the mobile phone is associated. The location query is then forwarded to the mobile phone via the base station. The mobile phone collects the GPS data from the GPS module and forwards the GPS data to the base station. The base station converts the GPS data to location information and forwards the location information to the third party device via the MTSO.

Claims

1. A method for locating a mobile phone in a wireless network, comprising:

providing a mobile phone having a global positioning system (GPS) module, wherein the mobile phone is located in the wireless network;

submitting a location query of the mobile phone from a third party device to a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO), wherein the location query includes a telephone number of the mobile phone;

determining a base station to which the mobile phone is associated based on the telephone number provided in the location query;

forwarding the location query to the mobile phone via the base station;

collecting GPS data from the GPS module and forwarding the GPS data to the base station;

converting the GPS data to location information; and

forwarding the location information to the third party device via the MTSO.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third party device comprises a telephone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third party device comprises a website.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the location query includes a password.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the mobile phone includes a hidden/password mode that blocks GPS data from being sent to the base station unless the location query includes a matching password.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information includes an address.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information includes a point on a map.

8. A system for locating a mobile phone in a wireless network, comprising:

a system for submitting a location query of the mobile phone from a third party device to a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO), wherein the location query includes a telephone number of the mobile phone;

a system for determining a base station to which the mobile phone is associated based on the telephone number provided in the location query;

a system for forwarding the location query to the mobile phone via the base station;

a system for retrieving global positioning system (GPS) data from a module incorporated into the mobile phone; and

a system for forwarding the GPS data to the third party device via the MTSO.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the third party device comprises a telephone.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the third party device comprises a website.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the location query includes a password.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the mobile phone includes a hidden/password mode that blocks GPS data from being sent to the base station unless the location query includes a matching password.

13. The system of claim 8, further comprising a system for converting the GPS data into an address.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a system for converting the GPS data into a point on a map.

15. A mobile phone that is locatable within a wireless network, comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) module for obtaining GPS data;

a system for receiving a location query from a base station and returning GPS data; and

an interface for setting the mobile phone to either a reveal mode or a hidden mode, wherein the reveal mode will allow GPS data to be retrieved from the mobile phone and the hidden mode will block GPS data from being retrieved from the mobile phone.

16. The mobile phone of claim 15, further comprising an interface for setting a password, wherein the password allows GPS data to be retrieved from the mobile phone in the hidden mode if the location query includes a matching password.

17. The mobile phone of claim 15, wherein the GPS data includes a GPS code and a time.

18. The mobile phone of claim 15, wherein the GPS module is detachable from the mobile phone.

19. The mobile phone of claim 15, wherein the GPS module is integrated into the mobile phone.

20. A method for deploying a system for locating mobile phones in a wireless network, comprising:

providing a computer infrastructure being operable to;

receive a location query of a mobile phone from a third party device, wherein the location query includes a telephone number of the mobile phone;

determine a base station to which the mobile phone is associated based on the telephone number provided in the location query;

forward the location query to the mobile phone via the base station;

retrieve global positioning system (GPS) data from a module incorporated into the mobile phone; and

forward the GPS data to the third party device.