Mobile telephone position system

• US 6,564,063 B1
• Filed: 09/09/1999
• Issued: 05/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Mittelstadt, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/392,488
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/406, 455/407-408, 342/352, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 701/200, 701/213, 701/300
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A mobile telephone user places a call through the communication system to a position call system when they want their geographic position. The call could be initiated in several ways, such as dialing a number, pressing a programmed key, or selecting from a menu. In response to the call, the position call system obtains the geographic position of the mobile telephone from the communication system. The position call system transfers the geographic position to the mobile telephone over the call. The mobile telephone provides the geographic position to the user. The position call system also transfers billing information to the billing system over communication link.

Claims

1. A method for operating a mobile telephone position system, the method comprising:

receiving a call from a mobile telephone into a communications system and routing the call to a position call system, the mobile telephone configured to communicate with satellites;

in response to receiving the call, calculating a geographic position of the mobile telephone in the communication system, obtaining the geographic position of the mobile telephone from a geographic position satellite system in the communication system, the geographic position comprising longitude, latitude, and altitude;

transferring the geographic position of the mobile telephone from the position call system over the call; and

transferring billing information from the position call system to a billing system, wherein the billing information indicates a caller identity, a time of the call, a duration of the call, and a number of position requests made during the call.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the call and transferring the geographic position over the call comprises using a live operator.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the call and transferring the geographic position over the call comprises using an automated voice system.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transferring the geographic position over the call comprises using a modem.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate using code division multiple access spread spectrum signaling.

6. A mobile telephone position system comprising:

a communication system configured to receive a call from a mobile telephone and route the call and to calculate the geographic position of the mobile telephone;

a position call system configured to receive the call from the communications system, obtain a geographic position of the mobile telephone from a geographic position satellite system in the communication system, transfer the geographic position of the mobile telephone over the call, and transfer billing information regarding the call to a billing system;

wherein the geographic position comprises longitude, latitude, and altitude;

wherein the billing information indicates a caller identity, a time of the call, a duration of the call, and a number of position requests made during the call.

7. The mobile telephone position system of claim 6 wherein the position call system is configured to use a live operator.

8. The mobile telephone position system of claim 6 wherein the position call system comprises an automated voice system configured to answer the call and transfer the geographic position over the call.

9. The mobile telephone position system of claim 6 wherein the position call system comprises a modem configured to transfer the geographic position over the call.

10. The mobile telephone position system of claim 6 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate with satellites.

11. The mobile telephone position system of claim 10 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate using code division multiple access spread spectrum signaling.

12. A method for operating a mobile telephone, the method comprising:

placing a call to a position call system;

receiving a geographic position of the mobile telephone from a geographic position satellite system over the call;

displaying the geographic position of the mobile telephone, wherein the geographic information comprises longitude, latitude, and altitude; and

transferring billing information from the position call system to a billing system, wherein the billing information indicates a caller identity, a time of the call, a duration of the call, and a number of position requests made during the call.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein placing the call comprises placing the call to a position call system.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein placing the call comprises displaying a menu and receiving a menu selection.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein placing the call comprises using a telephone number programmed into the mobile telephone.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein receiving the geographic position comprises using a modem.

17. The method of claim 12 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate with satellites.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate using code division multiple access spread spectrum signaling.

19. A mobile telephone comprising:

means for placing a call to a position call system comprising a geographic position satellite system;

means for receiving a geographic position of the mobile telephone from the geographic position satellite system over the call;

means for transferring billing information from the position call system to a billing system, wherein the billing information indicates a caller identity, a time of the call, a duration of the call, and a number of position requests made during the call; and

a display configured to display the geographic position of the mobile telephone.

20. The mobile telephone of claim 19 wherein the display is configured to display longitude, latitude, and altitude.

21. The mobile telephone of claim 19 wherein the means for receiving the geographic position comprises a modem.

22. The mobile telephone of claim 19 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate with satellites.

23. The mobile telephone of claim 22 wherein the mobile telephone is configured to communicate using code division multiple access spread spectrum signaling.