Method of using location information for interference protection

• US 6,643,517 B1
• Filed: 10/15/1999
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Steer, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/418,488
• Time in Patent Office: 1,481 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/561, 455/456.1, 455/456.4, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 455/456.4
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/04 based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction, speed

Abstract

A problem with mobile radio systems is the potentially harmful interference they may cause to other electronic equipment. Such interference can be dangerous and even life-threatening in hospitals and aircraft. The present invention provides a method to protect against improper operation of mobile radios, e.g. cellular phones, by making use of a “location technique” and knowledge of the mobile'"'"'s location to determine if the mobile is inside a protected region and thus needs to constrain its operation. Two modes of operation are possible: one utilising a location technique that is part of the mobile radio system, and the second utilising a location service that is independent of the mobile radio system (such as the satellite based GPS system). The present invention includes control of operation, such as no audible ringing, or outgoing calls only, as well as possible control of transmitter power to protect against interference. This allows for the safe operation of mobile radios in regions where interference could cause serious problems and also provides a method for maintaining social etiquette. Protected region boundaries and conditions of restricted operation are broadcast by base stations on the broadcast control channels. If the location of a mobile is determined to be within a protected region defined by the broadcast message, its operation is limited to the conditions specified.

Claims

1. In a mobile communications system having base stations communicating with mobile radio units, a method of restricting the operation of a mobile radio unit when within a protected zone, the method comprising:

providing at least one base station within or near the protected zone to broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of the protected zone;

said at least one base station having a coverage area overlapping the protected zone transmitting a warning signal within its coverage area;

the mobile radio unit receiving the broadcast information from the at least one base station;

determining the geographic location of the mobile radio unit receiving the broadcast information from the at least one base station;

the mobile radio unit determining on the basis of the broadcast information and its geographic location whether the mobile radio unit is located within the protected zone only if the mobile radio unit has received the warning signal; and

the mobile radio unit restricting operation of the mobile radio unit if it is within the protected zone.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the warning signal is transmitted more frequently than the information specifying the geographical location of the protected zone.

3. A mobile communications system comprising a plurality of base stations in communication with a plurality of mobile radio units, at least one of the base stations being arranged to broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of a protected zone and at least some of the mobile radio units each being arranged to receive the broadcast information and determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone, the at least some of the mobile units each being arranged to go into a restricted operation mode if it is located within the protected zone, wherein the at least one base station is arranged to broadcast, in addition to the information specifying the geographic location of the protected zone, a warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby and wherein each of the at least some of the mobile radio units is arranged to determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone only if it has received the waning signal.

4. A base station for use in a mobile communications system, the base station arranged to broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of protected zone within which operation of a mobile radio unit is restricted only if the mobile radio unit has received a warning signal, wherein the base station is arranged to broadcast additionally the warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby.

5. A base station as claimed in claim 4, wherein the base station is arranged to broadcast additionally information specifying one of a plurality of different types of restricted operation modes.

6. A mobile radio unit for use with base stations in a mobile communication system, the mobile radio unit being arranged to receive broadcast information specifying the geographic location of the boundaries of a protected zone, the mobile radio unit being arranged to determine whether or not it is located within the protected zone and, if it is, being arranged to go into a restricted operation mode, wherein the mobile unit is arranged to receive a warning signal that a protected zone is nearby and to determine whether or not the mobile radio unit is located within the protected zone only if it has received the warning signal.

7. A mobile radio unit comprising:

a transceiver for communicating with base stations in a mobile communication system;

a decoder connected to the transceiver for decoding control messages broadcast by a base station specifying the coordinates of a protected zone and a warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby;

a protection control processor connected to receive the coordinates from the decoder and to receive coordinates specifying the actual location of the mobile radio unit, the protection control processor comprising means to determine only if the mobile radio unit has received the warning signal whether the coordinates specifying the actual location of the mobile radio unit lie within the coordinates specifying the restricted zone and means generating a control signal determining a predetermined mode of operation of the mobile radio unit according to whether the coordinates specifying the actual location of the mobile radio unit lie within the coordinates specifying the restricted zone, only if the mobile radio unit has received the warning signal.

8. A mobile radio unit as claimed in claim 7 further comprising location detection means for determining the coordinates specifying the actual location of the mobile radio unit, the location detection means being connected between the control processor and the transceiver.

9. A method of programming from a base station a mobile radio unit comprising downloading from the base station via a wireless link feature software that configures the mobile radio unit:

a) to receive broadcast information specifying the geographical location of the boundaries of a protected zone and to receive a warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby;

b) to determine whether or not the mobile radio unit is located within the protected zone only if the mobile radio unit has received the warning signal; and

c) to go into a restricted operation mode if the mobile radio unit is within a protected zone; and

d) upon receipt of a warning signal indicating that the protected zone is nearby.