Location-based services for a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode

• US 7,272,393 B1
• Filed: 03/15/2004
• Issued: 09/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wuthnow, Mark Steven, Rainer, Brian Keith, Richardson, Simon James
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Figueroa, Marisol
• Application Number:
  US10/801,048
• Time in Patent Office: 1,282 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/456.1, 455/433
• US Class Current: 455/432.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/10 between location register and external networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

An existing network conversion element built to an existing standard is used to obtain the information needed to perform location-based services for a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode. A system includes a database relating temporary dialable numbers with corresponding equipment serving those numbers and a mobile position server in communication with the database. The mobile position server is operative to request and receive a temporary dialable number for a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, utilize the database to obtain the identity of the equipment serving the wireless device from the temporary dialable number, and initiate appropriate location signaling to the serving equipment. Also, a method includes utilizing the temporary dialable number to determine the identity of the equipment serving the wireless device and obtaining the location of the device directly from the serving equipment.

Claims

1. A method for determining a location of a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, said method comprising the steps of:

requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

determining an the identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device using said temporary dialable number; and

obtaining the location of said multi-technology wireless device directly from said serving equipment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of determining the identity of said serving equipment comprises:

providing a temporary dialable number database which contains the identity of equipment associated with temporary dialable numbers; and

utilizing said temporary dialable number database to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the identity of the equipment serving said temporary dialable number.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of obtaining the location of said multi-technology wireless device comprises:

determining a level of accuracy desired for determining the location of the multi-technology wireless device;

determining, in response to the identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device, a request format reflecting the level of accuracy and compatible with technology of said serving equipment;

formatting a request for a geographic location of said multi-technology wireless device which provides said desired accuracy and is compatible with the technology of said serving equipment;

sending said geographic location request directly to said serving equipment; and

receiving location information commensurate with said desired accuracy from said serving equipment.

4. A method of determining the identity of equipment serving a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, said method comprising:

requesting an identity of said serving equipment from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

providing a temporary dialable number database which contains the identity of equipment associated with temporary dialable numbers; and

utilizing said temporary dialable number database to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the identity of the equipment serving said temporary dialable number.

5. A method of initiating location signaling to equipment serving a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, said method comprising:

requesting an identity of said serving equipment from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

determining an identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device by utilizing said temporary dialable number;

formatting a request for a geographic location of said multi-technology wireless device compatible with the identity of said serving equipment; and

sending said geographic location request directly to said serving equipment.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said formatting step comprises:

determining the level of accuracy desired for said geographic location information;

determining, in response to the identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device, a request format reflecting the level of accuracy and compatible with technology of said serving equipment; and

formatting said geographic location request such that it provides said accuracy desired for said location information and is compatible with the technology of said serving equipment.

7. A method of identifying a type of technology in which a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode is operating, said method comprising the steps of:

requesting the identity of said serving equipment from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment;

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

providing a temporary dialable number database which contains the type of technology of equipment associated with temporary dialable numbers; and

utilizing said temporary dialable number database to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the type of technology of the equipment serving said temporary dialable number, which corresponds to the type of technology in which the multi-technology wireless device is operating.

8. A system for determining a location of a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology environment, said system comprising:

a database relating each temporary dialable number of a plurality of temporary dialable numbers to corresponding serving equipment serving said temporary dialable numbers;

a network conversion element operative to translate signaling from a native technology protocol to a foreign technology protocol for said multi-technology wireless device; and

a subscriber information database operating in the native technology environment of said multi-technology wireless device, said subscriber information database containing the address of the network conversion element associated with said multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology environment; and

a mobile position server in communication with said temporary dialable number database, said mobile position server operative to;

request and receive a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology wireless device;

utilize said database to cross reference said temporary dialable number with an identity of the corresponding serving equipment; and

obtain the location of said multi-technology wireless device directly from said corresponding serving equipment;

wherein said mobile position server is in communication with said network conversion element and said subscriber information database;

wherein said mobile position server is operative to determine that the subscriber information database contains the address of said network conversion element; and

wherein said mobile position server obtains said temporary dialable number for said multi-technology wireless device from said network conversion element.

9. A system for determining a location of a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology environment, said system comprising:

a means for obtaining a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology wireless device comprising;

a means for requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

a means for receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, wherein in response to the subscriber information database has provided providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, a temporary dialable number is requested for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

a means for determining an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device by utilizing said temporary dialable number; and

a means for determining the location of said multi-technology wireless device directly from said serving equipment.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said means for determining the identity of the serving equipment further comprises:

a means for relating temporary dialable numbers for roaming devices in a wireless network with the corresponding equipment serving said temporary dialable numbers; and

a means for utilizing said means for relating to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the identity of said serving equipment.

11. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for performing a method for determining a location of a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, comprising:

requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

determining the identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device by utilizing said temporary dialable number; and

obtaining the location of said multi-technology wireless device directly from said serving equipment.

12. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for performing a method of determining an identity of equipment serving a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode, comprising:

requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

providing a database which contains the identity of equipment associated with temporary dialable numbers; and

utilizing said database to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the identity of the equipment serving said temporary dialable number.

13. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for performing a method of initiating location signaling to equipment serving a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode comprising:

requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting and receiving a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

determining an identity of the equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device by utilizing said temporary dialable number;

formatting a request for a geographic location of said multi-technology wireless device compatible with the identity of said serving equipment; and

sending said geographic location request directly to said serving equipment.

14. A computer readable medium encoded with computer executable instructions for performing a method of identifying a type of technology in which a multi-technology wireless device operating in a foreign technology mode is operating comprising:

requesting an identity of equipment serving said multi-technology wireless device from a native technology serving equipment subscriber information database for said multi-technology wireless device;

receiving a response from said subscriber information database and determining that the subscriber information database has provided the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment; and

in response to the subscriber information database providing the identity of a network conversion element instead of the identity of actual serving equipment, requesting and receiving a temporary dialable number for said multi-technology device from said network conversion element;

providing a data source which relates the type of technology of equipment associated with each temporary dialable number of a plurality of temporary dialable numbers; and

utilizing said data source to cross reference said temporary dialable number with the type of technology of the equipment serving said temporary dialable number, which corresponds to the type of technology in which the multi-technology wireless device is operating.