System and method for determining device location in an IP-based wireless telecommunications network

• US 8,364,746 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Original Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Annamalai, Magesh, Jin, Zhengyi
• Primary Examiner(s): Serrao, Ranodhi
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hussain, Farrukh
• Application Number:
  US12/089,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20090177730A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,293 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/217, 455/404.2, 455/414.2, 455/440, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 709/202
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]

Abstract

A system and method determines a geographic position of a mobile device in communication with an IP-based wireless telecommunications network. A wireless connection between the mobile device and the IP-based wireless telecommunications network is established when the mobile device registers with a network controller (NC) through an access point (AP). When a geographical position is needed for the mobile device (e.g., a 911 call), messages are exchanged between the NC and the SMLC, where the SMLC retrieves information from a database that is used to identify the geographic position of the mobile device. The database can store a variety of information related to mobile devices such as: last known position, IP address, MAC address, device or subscriber identifier, last CGI, etc. The geographical position is communicated back to the NC, which can then forward the position information to a switch for processing such as for 911 calls.

Claims

1. A system for determining a location associated with a mobile device configured for voice communication over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based wireless telecommunications network, the system comprising:

a network controller with a processor and memory in an IP-based wireless telecommunications network that is configured to identify data associated with the mobile device,

wherein the mobile device is communicably coupled to the network controller via an access point that operates on an unlicensed frequency spectrum and is coupled to an IP-based network,

wherein the mobile device is configured for voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunications network via the access point,

wherein the identified data includes at least one of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or a media access control (MAC) address of the access point, and

wherein the identified data is received by the network controller over the IP-based wireless telecommunications network; and

a location database that is communicably coupled to the network controller, wherein the location database is configured for indexing with the identified data associated with the mobile device;

wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate a query to the location database that includes the identified data associated with the mobile device,

wherein the location database is further configured to provide a response to the query,

wherein the response includes location information associated with the mobile device, the location information including at least one of;

an address of the subscriber,

a location of the access point, or

a serving area of the access point, and

wherein the response further includes an indication of a degree of accuracy of the location information.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a serving mobile location center that is communicably coupled to the network controller.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the serving mobile location center is configured to communicate a positioning request message to the network controller, wherein the positioning request message includes a message type.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate a reset message to the serving mobile location center when a positioning request message from the serving mobile location center is invalidated, wherein the reset message identifies at least one of:

a message type,

a cell identifier,

a network controller control channel description,

a cause associated with the reset, or

a location area code.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate a reject message to the serving mobile location center when a positioning request message from the serving mobile location center is invalidated, wherein the reject message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or

a cause associated with the rejection.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate an abort message to the serving mobile location center, wherein the abort message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or

a cause associated with the abort.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the identified data further includes at least one of a cell global identity (CGI) value, an IP address of the access point, and wherein the location database comprises values associated with at least one of:

a location identifier associated with a known MAC address,

a last known position associated with a device identifier for the mobile device based on the CGI value,

a serving area of an IP address associated with the access point, or

an uncertainty rating associated with each of the above locations.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the location database is indexed according to at least one of:

a device identifier,

a MAC address of the access point, or

an IP address of the access point.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate a location request message to the location database, wherein the location request message from the network controller identifies at least one of:

a message type,

an access point identifier associated with the mobile device, or

a device identifier for the mobile device, and

wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

the MAC address of the access point, or

an IP address of the access point.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the network controller is further configured to communicate a database abort message to the location database, wherein the database abort message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or

a cause associated with the database abort.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the location database is further configured to provide a reply message in response to a location request from the network controller, wherein the reply message identifies at least one of:

a message type,

a location estimate,

a latitude estimate,

a longitude estimate,

an uncertainty rating associated with the location estimate,

a last known position associated with a device identifier for the mobile device,

a cell global identity value, or

an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

a MAC address of the access point or

an IP address of the access point.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the location database is further configured to provide a database abort message, wherein the database abort message identifies at least one of:

a message type or

a cause associated with the database abort.

13. A network controller that is arranged in an IP-based wireless telecommunications network that includes facilities for a mobile device configured for voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunications network, the network controller comprising:

a memory;

a processor coupled to the memory;

a component configured to receive a request for a location determination,

wherein the request for the location determination is associated with the mobile device, and

wherein the mobile device accesses the IP-based wireless telecommunications network for voice communication via an access point operating on unlicensed frequency spectrum and coupled to an IP-based network;

a component configured to identify data associated with the mobile device,

wherein the identified data includes at least one of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or a media access control (MAC) address of the access point, and

wherein the identified data is received by the network controller over the IP-based network;

a component configured to communicate a location query to a location database,

wherein the location database is configured for indexing with the identified data associated with the mobile device; and

wherein the location query includes the identified data associated with the mobile device;

a component configured to receive a location response from the location database, the location response includes location information for the mobile device, including at least one of;

an address of the subscriber,

a location of the access point, or

a serving area of the access point,

wherein the response further includes an indication of a degree of accuracy of the location information;

a component configured to process the location response from the location database to provide a positioning response; and

a component configured to send a reply to the request for the location determination with the positioning response.

14. The network controller of claim 13, wherein the request for the location determination is identified with the mobile device according to at least one of:

a device identifier,

a cell global identity (cell global identity) value, or

an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of

a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or

an internet protocol (IP) address of the access point.

15. The network controller of claim 13, wherein the location query to the location database identifies at least one of:

a device identifier,

a cell global identity value, or

an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

a MAC address of the access point or

an IP address of the access point.

16. The network controller of claim 13, wherein the location response from the location database identifies at least one of:

a message type,

a location estimate,

a latitude estimate,

a longitude estimate,

an uncertainty rating associated with the location estimate,

a last known position associated with a device identifier,

a cell global identity value, or

an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

a MAC address of the access point or

an IP address of the access point.

17. A method for determining a location associated with a mobile device in an IP-based wireless telecommunication network, the method comprising:

identifying data associated with the mobile device,

wherein the mobile device is communicably coupled to an IP-based wireless telecommunications network via an access point that operates on an unlicensed frequency spectrum and is communicably coupled to an IP-based network,

wherein the mobile device is configured for voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunications network via the access point, and

wherein the identified data includes at least one of an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) or a media access control (MAC) address of the access point;

transmitting a query over the IP-based network to a location database that includes the identified data associated with the mobile device,

wherein the location database is configured for indexing with the identified data associated with the mobile device; and

transmitting a reply to the query, wherein the reply includes location information associated with the mobile device, the location information including at least one of;

an address of the subscriber,

a location of the access point, or

a serving area of the access point,

wherein the reply further includes an indication of a degree of accuracy of the location information.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising receiving a positioning request message, wherein the positioning request message includes a message type.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a positioning response message, wherein the positioning response message identifies at least one of:

a message type, a network controller control channel description, a device identifier, a location estimate, a latitude estimate, a longitude estimate, an uncertainty rating associated with the location estimate, a last known position associated with a device identifier, a cell global identity value, or an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

a media access control (MAC) address or an internet protocol (IP) address associated with the access point.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a reset message when a positioning request message is invalidated, wherein the reset message identifies at least one of:

a message type, a cell identifier, a network controller control channel description, a cause associated with the rejection, or a location area code.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a reject message when a positioning request message is invalidated, wherein the reject message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or a cause associated with the rejection.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating an abort message, wherein the abort message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or a cause associated with the abort.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the location database comprises values associated with at least one of a location identifier associated with a known MAC address, a last known position associated with a device identifier, a serving area of an IP address associated with the access point, or an uncertainty rating associated with each of the above locations.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising indexing the location database according to at least one of:

a device identifier, a MAC address associated with an access point in the system, or an IP address associated with the access point.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a location request to the location database, wherein the location request message identifies at least one of:

a message type, an access point identifier associated with the mobile device, or a device identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of;

a MAC address or an IP address associated with the access point.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a database abort message to the location database, wherein the database abort message identifies at least one of:

a message type, or a cause associated with the database abort.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising communicating a reply message from the location database in response to a location request, wherein the reply message identifies at least one of a message type, a location estimate, a latitude estimate, a longitude estimate, an uncertainty rating associated with the location estimate, a last known position associated with a device identifier, a cell global identity value, or an access point identifier, wherein the access point identifier comprises at least one of:

a MAC address or an IP address associated with the access point.

28. A method in a network controller of determining a location of a dual-mode mobile device configured for voice communication over a cellular network and for voice communication over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based wireless telecommunication network, the method comprising:

determining that the dual-mode mobile device is registered for voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunication network through a wireless access point that operates on an unlicensed frequency spectrum and is communicably coupled to an IP network;

receiving identifying data over the IP-based network associated with at least one of the dual-mode device and the wireless access point, wherein the identifying data includes at least one of—

a media access control (MAC) address of the wireless access point,

an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),

a cell global identity value of a cell of the cellular network, wherein the cell is associated with the dual-mode mobile device at the time of the voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunication network, or

an IP address of the wireless access point;

based on the identifying data, determining location information usable to determine a location of the mobile device, wherein the location information includes at least one of—

a location of the wireless access point,

a location of the subscriber of the dual-mode device,

a location of the cell associated with the dual-mode mobile device at the time of the voice communication over the IP-based wireless telecommunication network, or

a location of a public IP address serving area;

determining a degree of accuracy of the location information; and

based on the location information, determining a location of the dual-mode mobile device and providing the location in conjunction with the degree of accuracy.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising based on the identifying data, determining an uncertainty rating that provides a likelihood that the location information is accurate.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein the location associated with the dual-mode mobile device includes longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates, and wherein the method further comprises:

based on the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates, determining a public safety access point (PSAP); and

routing the voice communication to the PSAP.

31. The method of claim 28, further comprising based on the location associated with the dual-mode mobile device, providing at least one location-based service to the dual-mode device.