Location query service for wireless networks
First Claim
1. A method for providing a location query service for use with a wireless network that tracks locations of network users, the method comprising:
- receiving from a requester a query asking for location information associated with a wireless network user;
determining whether the requestor is authorized to receive the requested location information and, if so, retrieving the location information associated with the wireless network user and forwarding the location information to the requestor;
if the requestor is unauthorized, determining whether the wireless network user will accept requests to release location information to unauthorized users;
if the requestor is unauthorized and the wireless network user is determined not to accept such requests, returning a message to the requestor that the request is denied;
if the requestor is unauthorized and the wireless network user is determined to accept such requests, forwarding to the wireless network user the requester identification and the request for the requestor to receive the location information;
if the wireless network user chooses not to release the requested location information to the unauthorized requestor, returning a message to the requestor that the request is denied; and
if the wireless network user chooses to release the requested location information to the unauthorized user, retrieving the location information associated with the wireless network user and forwarding the location information to the requester.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A location query service for use with a wireless network that tracks the location of network devices, such as a network complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides requesters with the locations of network users, based on the locations of the users'"'"' wireless network devices. The service receives a location query from a requester, retrieves location information associated with the network user, and returns the location information to the requestor. Alternately, before returning the location information to the requester, the service authenticates that the requestor is authorized by the network user to receive the network user'"'"'s location information. A requestor can submit a location query, for example, by voice calls through the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) to an interactive voice response unit (IVRU), personal computer access through a global computer network, and cellular telephone access through a global computer network.
433 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for providing a location query service for use with a wireless network that tracks locations of network users, the method comprising:
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receiving from a requester a query asking for location information associated with a wireless network user; determining whether the requestor is authorized to receive the requested location information and, if so, retrieving the location information associated with the wireless network user and forwarding the location information to the requestor; if the requestor is unauthorized, determining whether the wireless network user will accept requests to release location information to unauthorized users; if the requestor is unauthorized and the wireless network user is determined not to accept such requests, returning a message to the requestor that the request is denied; if the requestor is unauthorized and the wireless network user is determined to accept such requests, forwarding to the wireless network user the requester identification and the request for the requestor to receive the location information; if the wireless network user chooses not to release the requested location information to the unauthorized requestor, returning a message to the requestor that the request is denied; and if the wireless network user chooses to release the requested location information to the unauthorized user, retrieving the location information associated with the wireless network user and forwarding the location information to the requester. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Currently Amended) A system for providing a location query service with a wireless network in communication with a plurality of wireless network devices, the system comprising:
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a location system in communication with the wireless network, the location system providing location information associated with the plurality of wireless network devices; and a location server in communication with the wireless network and a plurality of requesters, wherein the location server is operative; to determine whether the requestor is authorized to receive the requested location information associated with the network user and, if so, to retrieve the location information and forward that information to the requestor; if the requester is unauthorized, to determine whether the network user will accept requests to release location information to unauthorized users; if the requester is unauthorized and the network user is determined not to accept such requests, to return a message to the requestor that the request is denied; if the requestor is unauthorized and the wireless network user is determined to accept such requests, to send the access request to the network user about whom the requestor seeks location information, so as to determine whether the network user chooses to release the location information to the requester if the network user chooses not to release the requested location information to the unauthorized requestor, to return a message to the requestor that the request is denied; and if the network user chooses to release the requested location information to the unauthorized user, to retrieve the network user'"'"'s location information provided by the location system and to forward the location information to the requestor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification