Downloading of maps and location specific configuration information to GPS-capable mobile communication terminal

• US 6,680,919 B1
• Filed: 02/04/2000
• Issued: 01/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Rauhala, Kristian
• Primary Examiner(s): CANGIALOSI, SALVATORE A
• Application Number:
  US09/498,210
• Time in Patent Office: 1,446 Days
• Field of Search: 701/213, 342/457, 342/357.13, 342/357.12, 342/358, 370/310, 370/310.2, 434/112
• US Class Current: 370/310
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• 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

A method operates a mobile communication terminal or MCT (10) by the steps of: (A) determining, at the MCT 10, a location of the MCT in accordance with Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs, (B) transmitting a signal that indicates the GPS-determined location, the signal being transmitted from the MCT to a network service provider or NSP (30), and (C) downloading data to the MCT 10 from the network service provider 34 or from a server (40, 42) that is coupled to the network service provider through a data communications network (38). The downloaded data is selected in accordance with the GPS-determined location of the MCT. The step of determining may employ a GPS capability of the MCT or a GPS capability of a GPS accessory (28) that is coupled to the MCT. In one embodiment the downloaded data is comprised of map data, while in another embodiment the downloaded data is comprised of at least one of operating software or an operating protocol. The data may be downloaded as a background task. The step of transmitting may occur periodically, or in response to a user input, or in response to a request from the network service provider.

Claims

1. A method for operating a mobile communication terminal (MCT), comprising steps of:

determining, at the MCT, a location of the MCT in accordance with Global Positioning System (OPS) inputs;

transmitting a signal, periodically either automatically, manually, or upon request from a network service provider, that indicates the GPS-determined location, the signal being transmitted from the MCT to the network service provider; and

downloading data as a background task to the MCT from the network service provider, the downloaded data being selected in accordance with the GPS-determined location of the MCT.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of determining employs a GPS capability of the MCT.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of determining employs a GPS capability of a GPS accessory that is coupled to the MCT.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of at least one of map data, operating software or an operating protocol.

5. A method for operating a mobile communication terminal (MCT), comprising steps of:

determining, at the MCT, a location of the MCT in accordance with Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs;

transmitting a signal, periodically either automatically manually, or upon request from a network service provider, that indicates the GPS-determined location, the signal being transmitted from the MCT to the network service provider; and

downloading data as a background task to the MCT from a server coupled to a global data communication network that is coupled to the network service provider, the downloaded data being selected in accordance with the GPS-determined location of the MCT.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of determining employs a GPS capability of the MCT.

7. A method as in claim 5, wherein the step of determining employs a GPS capability of a GPS accessory that is coupled to the MCT.

8. A method as in claim 5, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of map data.

9. A method as in claim 5, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of at least one of operating software or an operating protocol.

10. A wireless telecommunications system comprising a mobile communication terminal (MCT) and a network service provider (NSP), said MCT operating to;

determine its location in accordance with Global Positioning System (GPS) inputs and comprising a transmitter for transmitting a signal that indicates the GPS-determined location, the signal being transmitted from said MCT to said NSP periodically either automatically, manually, or upon request from said NSP, said MCT further comprising a receiver for receiving a download of data from said NSP as a background task, the downloaded data being selected in accordance with the GPS-determined location of said MCT.

11. A system as in claim 10, wherein said MCT employs a GPS capability of said MCT to determine its location.

12. A system as in claim 10, wherein said MCT employs a GPS capability of a GPS accessory that is coupled to said MCT to determine its location.

13. A system as in claim 10, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of map data.

14. A system as in claim 10, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of operating software.

15. A system as in claim 10, wherein the downloaded data is comprised of an operating protocol.

16. A method for operating a mobile communication terminal (MCT), comprising steps of:

inputting an expected future location of the MCT;

transmitting a signal that indicates the expected future location; and

downloading as a background task at least one of operating software or operating protocol to the MCT from a network service provider, the downloaded data being selected in accordance with the expected future location of the MCT.