SHARING AND TRACKING REAL-TIME LOCATION FOR MOBILE USERS

• US 20080318593A1
• Filed: 06/22/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cao, Feng, Malik, Saadat
• Granted Patent: US 7,831,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

In one embodiment, an apparatus can include: a receiver configured to receive location-related data, and to provide real-time location information therefrom; and a processor configured to receive the real-time location information, and to provide an extension in a packet header of a media stream, wherein the header extension comprises the real-time location information.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive location-related data, and to provide real-time location information therefrom; and

a processor configured to receive the real-time location information, and to provide an extension in a packet header of a media stream, wherein the header extension comprises the real-time location information.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver comprises a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor comprises a digital signal processor (DSP).

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the processor and when executed operable to encrypt the header extension.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packet header is configured to use real-time protocol (RTP).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packet header is configured to use secure real-time protocol (sRTP).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the header extension comprises a location information block and a timestamp for a location address.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the header extension comprises profile and length indicators.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the packet header comprises an extension bit configured to indicate the header extension.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving real-time location information in a processor of a mobile device; and

embedding the real-time location information into an extension of a packet header in an outgoing media stream from the mobile device in response to a changing location of the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the receiving the real-time location information comprises using a global positioning system (GPS) receiver.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising encrypting the header extension.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the encrypting uses secure real-time protocol (sRTP).

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the header extension comprises a location information block and a timestamp for a location address.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the embedding the real-time location information comprises using real-time protocol (RTP).

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising embedding profile and length indicators in the header extension.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating the header extension using an extension bit in the packet header.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising indicating a destination for the real-time location information in the header extension.

19. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing the real-time location information.

20. A means for sharing a location of a mobile device, the means comprising:

a means for receiving real-time location information in a processor of a mobile device; and

a means for embedding the real-time location information into an extension of a packet header in an outgoing media stream from the mobile device in response to a changing location of the mobile device.