APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOCATING A MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE

• US 20090191900A1
• Filed: 01/28/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intrado Life & Safety Incorporated
• Original Assignee: West Corporation
• Inventors: Hickey, John D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,761,808 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.5
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/04 Supports for telephone transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device includes: a transmitting unit; and a fixing structure supporting the transmitting unit. The fixing structure effects removable affixation between the fixing structure and the mobile communication device. The transmitting unit effects communications with a communication network.

Claims

1. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device;

the apparatus comprising;

(a) a locating unit;

(b) a support unit supporting said locating unit; and

(c) a fixing structure;

said fixing structure effecting removable affixation between said support unit and said mobile communication device;

said locating unit being configured for effecting communication with a telecommunication network.

2. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 wherein said locating unit includes a communicating unit coupled with a power source unit.

3. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 wherein said communication is effected by intermittently initiating communications by said locating unit.

4. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 3 wherein said communication is effected by said locating unit responding to an intermittently received inquiry signal.

5. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 1 wherein said support unit and said fixing structure comprise an accessory for use with said mobile communication device.

6. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 2 wherein said communication is effected by intermittently initiating communications by said communicating unit.

7. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 2 wherein said communication is effected by said communicating unit responding to an intermittently received inquiry signal.

8. An apparatus for locating a mobile communication device as recited in claim 2 wherein said support unit and said fixing structure comprise an accessory for use with said mobile communication device.

9. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device;

the apparatus comprising;

a. a transmitting unit; and

b. a fixing structure supporting said transmitting unit;

said fixing structure effecting removable affixation between said fixing structure and said mobile communication device;

said transmitting unit effecting communications with a communication network.

10. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said transmitting unit includes a communicating unit coupled with a power source unit.

11. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said communications are effected by intermittently initiating communications by said transmitting unit.

12. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said communications are effected by said transmitting unit responding to an intermittently received inquiry signal.

13. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 9 wherein said fixing structure comprises an accessory for use with said mobile telecommunication device.

14. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 10 wherein said intermittent communication is effected by intermittently initiating communications by said communicating unit.

15. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 10 wherein said intermittent communication is effected by said communicating unit responding to an intermittently received inquiry signal.

16. An apparatus for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as recited in claim 10 wherein said fixing structure comprises an accessory for use with said mobile communication device.

17. A method for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device;

the method comprising;

(a) in no particular order;

(1) providing a transmitting unit; and

(2) providing a fixing structure;

(b) effecting a removable affixed relation between said fixing structure and said transmitting unit; and

(c) operating said transmitting unit to effect communication with a communication network.

18. A method for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as indicated in claim 17 wherein said communication is effected by one of said communicating unit responding to an intermittently received inquiry signal or said communicating unit intermittently initiating communications.

19. A method for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as indicated in claim 17 wherein said fixing structure comprises an accessory for use with said mobile communication device.

20. A method for indicating location of a mobile telecommunication device as indicated in claim 18 wherein said fixing structure comprises an accessory for use with said mobile communication device.