METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PEER-TO-PEER (P2P) AD-HOC LOCATION DETERMINATION ROUTING PROTOCOL

• US 20130017802A1
• Filed: 07/13/2012
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: ADIBI, Sasan, LABRADOR, Christopher, SIMMONS, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 8,843,104 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/22 using selective relaying for reaching a BTS [Base Transceiver Station] or an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method at a first mobile device, and the mobile device, the method receiving a message from a second mobile device; adding information to the message; forwarding the message to a network if a network connection is available for the first mobile device; and forwarding the message to a third mobile device if no network connection is available. Also a method at a mobile device, and a mobile device, the method receiving an indication that an emergency condition exists; sending a message from the device to a network element if a network connection between the mobile device and network element exists; and sending the message from the device to a second mobile device if no network connection between the mobile device and a network element exists.

Claims

1. A method at a first mobile device comprising:

receiving a message from a second mobile device;

adding information to the message;

forwarding the message to a network if a network connection is available for the first mobile device; and

forwarding the message to a third mobile device if no network connection is available.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information added includes a timestamp for receipt of the message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information added further includes a speed and direction of travel of the first mobile device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the information added includes a location where first mobile device receives the message from the second mobile.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving is over a dedicated Global System for Mobile Communications-based channel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is in a predetermined format and is one of an emergency message, a reminder, a short email or high priority message.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the message includes at least one of:

a plurality of base stations connected to and a timestamp for each of the plurality of base station connections;

speed of travel;

an elevation;

a medical condition;

a personal message or reminder; and

a telephone number or unique identifier for the first mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the message includes information from an originating mobile device along with information from intervening mobile devices on a communication path between the originating mobile device and said mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the message and added information if no network connection is available and communication is not possible with a third mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising forwarding the message to a fourth mobile device if no indication is received from the third mobile device that the third mobile device has a network connection.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the forwarding is limited to a predetermined number of devices.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a message from a network element to ignore further communications regarding the second mobile device, and forwarding the message from the network element to other mobile devices.

13. A mobile device comprising:

a processor; and

a communications subsystem,

wherein the processor and communications subsystem are configured to;

receive a message from a second mobile device;

add information to the message;

forward the message to a network if a network connection is available for the first mobile device; and

forward the message to a third mobile device if no network connection is available.

14. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the message includes information from an originating mobile device along with information from intervening mobile devices on a communication path between the originating mobile device and said mobile device.

15. The mobile device of claim 13, further comprising memory for storing the message, the processor and communications subsystem configured to add information if no network connection is available and communication is not possible with a third mobile device.

16. The mobile device of claim 13, wherein the processor and communications subsystem are further configured to forward the message to a fourth mobile device if no indication is received from the third mobile device that the third mobile device has a network connection.

17. A method at a mobile device comprising:

receiving an indication that an emergency condition exists;

sending a message from the device to a network element if a network connection between the mobile device and network element exists; and

sending the message from the mobile device to a second mobile device if no network connection between the mobile device and a network element exists.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the indication is received from one of an internal sensor or over a short range communication interface from an external device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the message is of a predetermined format that includes at least one of a phone number or identifier for the mobile device, a supported communications field, a history of network connections field, a last known speed field, a last known elevation field, and a medical condition field.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising sending the message to a third mobile device if no indication is received from the second mobile device that the second mobile device has a network connection to the network element.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the sending the message is limited to sending to a predetermined number of mobile devices.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the sending to the second mobile device utilizes a dedicated beacon channel.

23. A mobile device comprising:

a processor; and

a communications subsystem,

wherein the processor and communications subsystem are configured to;

receive an indication that an emergency condition exists;

send a message from the device to a network element if a network connection between the mobile device and network element exists; and

send the message from the mobile device to a second mobile device if no network connection between the mobile device and a network element exists.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the message is of a predetermined format that includes at least one of a phone number or identifier for the mobile device, a supported communications field, a history of network connections field, a last known speed field, a last known elevation field, and a medical condition field.

25. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the processor and communications subsystem are further configured to send the message to a third mobile device if no indication is received from the second mobile device that the second mobile device has a network connection to the network element.