Method and apparatus for performing position determination with a short circuit call flow

• US 8,929,919 B2
• Filed: 07/01/2011
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Burroughs, Kirk Allan, Edge, Stephen William, Fischer, Sven
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US13/175,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20110319095A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.2, 455/456.1, 455/567
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0205 Details
• 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 84/06 Airborne or Satellite Networks space-based or airborne stations H04B7/185

Abstract

For a call flow to perform position determination, a network sends to a user equipment (UE) an indication (e.g., a request for permission) to perform a position fix for the UE. The UE responds by sending to the network an acknowledgment (e.g., a grant of permission) to perform the position fix. The UE selectively sends a position estimate for itself to the network, typically along with the acknowledgment. The network may initiate location processing if (1) a location estimate is not received from the UE or (2) a location estimate is received from the UE but the network decides not to use this location estimate. In this case, the network and the UE perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE. However, if a location estimate is received from the UE and the network decides to use the location estimate, then the location processing is bypassed or short circuited.

Claims

1. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising:

receiving from a user equipment (UE) a request for a position estimate;

receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the performing location processing comprises initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets quality of service requirements, and using the cached position information if the quality of service requirements are met.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving from the UE a request to use short circuit to bypass the location processing and sending to the UE an indication of allowance to use the short circuit for the location processing.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a communication unit operative to receive from a user equipment (UE) a request for a position estimate, and to receive cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE; and

a processor operative to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received and to use the cached position information for the UE and bypass the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the communication unit is further operative to provide the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is operative to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE, and wherein the communication unit is operative to receive from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the processor is operative to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

11. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving from a user equipment (UE) a request for a position estimate;

means for receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

means for performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

means for using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for performing location processing comprises means for initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and means for receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the means for using the cached position information for the UE comprises means for determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code stored thereon, comprising:

program code to process a request received from a user equipment (UE) for a position estimate;

program code to process received cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

program code to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

program code to use the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

16. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising program code to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE.

17. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising program code to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

18. A method of performing position determination in a network, comprising:

receiving from a user equipment (UE) signaling to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information,

receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the performing location processing comprises initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets quality of service requirements, and using the cached position information if the quality of service requirements are met.

23. The method of claim 18, further comprising receiving from the UE signaling that includes a request for use of short circuit to bypass the location processing, and sending to the UE an indication of allowance to use the short circuit for the location processing.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a communication unit operative to receive from a user equipment (UE) signaling to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE, and to receive cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE; and

a processor operative, for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received and to use the cached position information for the UE and bypass the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the communication unit is further operative to provide the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is operative to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE, and wherein the communication unit is operative to receive from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the processor is operative to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

28. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving from a user equipment (UE) signaling to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

means for processing each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, comprising;

means for receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

means for performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

means for using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for performing location processing comprises means for initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and means for receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for using the cached position information for the UE comprises means for determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

32. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code stored thereon, comprising:

program code to process signaling received from a user equipment (UE) to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

program code to receive cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information;

program code to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information; and

program code to use the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information.

33. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 32, further comprising program code to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE.

34. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 32, further comprising program code to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

35. A method of performing position determination, comprising:

sending signaling to a user equipment (UE) to initiate periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information,

receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the performing location processing comprises initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the using the cached position information for the UE comprises determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets quality of service requirements, and using the cached position information if the quality of service requirements are met.

40. An apparatus comprising:

a communication unit operative to send to a user equipment (UE) signaling to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE, and to receive cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE; and

a processor operative, for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received and to use the cached position information for the UE and bypass the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the communication unit is further operative to provide the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the processor is operative to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE, and wherein the communication unit is operative to receive from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the processor is operative to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

44. An apparatus comprising:

means for sending to a user equipment (UE) signaling to request periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

means for processing each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, comprising;

means for receiving cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE;

means for performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received; and

means for using the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, further comprising means for providing the cached position information for the UE to a client entity.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the means for performing location processing comprises means for initiating a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE, wherein the network entity and the UE perform the position fix for the UE, and means for receiving from the network entity the position fix for the UE.

47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the means for using the cached position information for the UE comprises means for determining whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion, and using the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

48. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code stored thereon, comprising:

program code to send signaling to a user equipment (UE) to initiate periodic location reporting for the UE, the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE;

program code to receive cached position information for the UE if sent by the UE for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information;

program code to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the cached position information for the UE is not received for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information; and

program code to use the cached position information for the UE and bypassing the location processing if the cached position information for the UE is received for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information.

49. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 48, further comprising program code to initiate a location session between the UE and a network entity designated to support position determination for the UE in order to perform the position fix for the UE.

50. The non-tangible computer-readable medium of claim 48, further comprising program code to determine whether the cached position information received from the UE meets at least one criterion and to use the cached position information if the at least one criterion is met.

51. A method of performing position determination, comprising:

receiving from a network signaling to initiate periodic location reporting for a user equipment (UE), the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information,

selectively sending cached position information for the UE to the network;

performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network; and

bypassing the location processing if the cached position information is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the selectively sending to the network the cached position information for the UE comprises sending the cached position information for the UE to the network without the cached position information being requested by the network.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the selectively sending to the network the cached position information for the UE comprises sending the cached position information for the UE to the network if the cached position information is available at the UE, a UE-based positioning mode is allowed, the cached position information is derived without interaction with the network, or if an indication to perform an immediate position fix for the UE is received from the network.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the performing location processing comprises performing the location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or in accordance with a UE-assisted positioning mode.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the cached position information for the UE comprises latitude and longitude information for the UE.

56. An apparatus comprising:

a communication unit operative to receive from a network signaling to initiate periodic location reporting for a user equipment (UE), the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE, and to selectively send cached position information for the UE to the network; and

a processor operative, for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network and to bypass the location processing if the cached position information is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the communication unit is operative to selectively send to the network the cached position information for the UE if the cached position information is available at the UE, a UE-based positioning mode is allowed, the cached position information is derived without interaction with the network, or if an indication to perform an immediate position fix for the UE is received from the network.

58. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein the processor is operative to perform location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or in accordance with a UE-assisted positioning mode.

59. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving from a network signaling to initiate periodic location reporting for a user equipment (UE), the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE; and

means for processing each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information, comprising;

means for selectively sending cached position information for the UE to the network;

means for performing location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network; and

means for bypassing the location processing if the cached position information is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network.

60. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the means for selectively sending cached position information for the UE to the network comprises means for selectively sending the cached position information for the UE to the network if the cached position information is available at the UE, a UE-based positioning mode is allowed, the cached position information is derived without interaction with the network, or if an indication to perform an immediate position fix for the UE is received from the network.

61. The apparatus of claim 59, wherein the means for performing location processing comprises means for performing the location processing in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or in accordance with a UE-assisted positioning mode.

62. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including program code stored thereon, comprising:

program code to process signaling received from a network to initiate periodic location reporting for a user equipment (UE), the signaling including periodic location information indicative of when to report location of the UE;

program code to selectively send cached position information for the UE to the network for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information;

program code to perform location processing to obtain a position fix for the UE if the location processing is initiated by the network for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information; and

program code to bypass the location processing if the cached position information is sent to the network and the location processing is not initiated by the network for each location reporting indicated by the periodic location information.

63. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the program code to selectively send to the network the cached position information for the UE comprises program code to selectively send to the network the cached position information for the UE if the cached position information is available at the UE, a UE-based positioning mode is allowed, the cached position information is derived without interaction with the network, or if an indication to perform an immediate position fix for the UE is received from the network.

64. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 62, wherein the program code to perform location processing comprises program code to perform location processing with the network in accordance with a UE-based positioning mode or in accordance with a UE-assisted positioning mode.