Beacon for locating and tracking wireless terminals
First Claim
1. A method for enabling terminal to be located in a wireless communication network, comprising:
- initiating a call from said terminal in response to a first command on a forward communication link;
generating position data from which a position estimate for the terminal can be determined;
processing data for the call and said position data to provide a first modulated signal;
transmitting the first modulated signal on a reverse communication link;
receiving a second command to initiate transmission of a beacon;
in response to said second commend, providing a second modulated signal having included therein the beacon in combination with other signals, said beacon having characteristics that can be used to locate the terminal; and
transmitting the second modulated signal on said reverse communication link.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus to facilitate the locating and tracking of a wireless terminal, which may be advantageously used for E-911 service. The terminal may be directed to transmit a beacon for certain events, such as in connection with a 911 call. The beacon has a specific format known by the wireless network, and may be periodically or continuously transmitted. The beacon may be transmitted using various schemes. In a first scheme, the terminal transmits the beacon only when directed to do so by a designated network entity (e.g., the PSAP). In a second scheme, the terminal transmits the beacon in conjunction with the 911 call, and is thereafter directed to terminate the beacon transmission by the designated network entity. The beacon allows the terminal to be accurately located even if it has moved or is physically located in an enclosed or “not-so-obvious” location.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method for enabling terminal to be located in a wireless communication network, comprising:
-
initiating a call from said terminal in response to a first command on a forward communication link;
generating position data from which a position estimate for the terminal can be determined;
processing data for the call and said position data to provide a first modulated signal;
transmitting the first modulated signal on a reverse communication link;
receiving a second command to initiate transmission of a beacon;
in response to said second commend, providing a second modulated signal having included therein the beacon in combination with other signals, said beacon having characteristics that can be used to locate the terminal; and
transmitting the second modulated signal on said reverse communication link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. An apparatus in a wireless communication network, comprising:
-
means for receiving a first command to initiate a call of a particular type;
means for providing data for a position estimate for the terminal;
means for processing data for the call and data for the position estimate to provide a first modulated signal;
means for transmitting the first modulated signal;
means for receiving a second command to initiate transmission of a beacon;
means for processing data for the beacon to provide a second modulated signal having included therein the beacon; and
means for transmitting the second modulated signal in combination with the first modulated signal on a reverse communication link in the wireless communications network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
-
Specification