Location tracking of mobile phone using GPS function

• US 9,020,530 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2012
• Issued: 04/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyndryl Incorporated
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kim, Jonghae, Kim, Moon J., Plouchart, Jean-Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Sivji, Nizar
• Application Number:
  US13/347,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108210A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,203 Days
• Field of Search: 455/410, 455/411, 455/456.1, 455/456.2, 455/456.3, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 455/456.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/002 for traffic control, mobile tracking, guidance, surveillance or anti-collision
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/008 using a mobile telephone network
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0036 of measured values, i.e. measurement on mobile and position calculation on base station
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/10 Position of receiver fixed by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements , e.g. omega or decca systemsG01S5/12 takes precedence ; beacons and receivers cooperating therewith G01S1/306, G01S1/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A system, method, service and mobile device are disclosed for providing a location of the mobile device. The invention utilizes a mobile phone with a global positioning system (GPS) module which is located in a wireless network. A third party device is able to submit a location query to a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO). This location query includes the mobile phone'"'"'s telephone number. Using the telephone number, the MTSO determines the base station with which the mobile phone is associated. The location query is then forwarded to the mobile phone via the base station. The mobile phone collects the GPS data from the GPS module and forwards the GPS data to the base station. The base station converts the GPS data to location information and forwards the location information to the third party device via the MTSO.

Claims

1. A mobile phone location method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile phone having a global positioning system (GPS) module, a location query including a request for a location of the mobile phone and a telephone number of the mobile phone, the location query originating from a third party device sent via a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO) and a base station with which the mobile phone is associated; and

in a first mode of the mobile phone;

determining using the mobile phone whether the location query includes a matching password;

blocking GPS data from being sent by the mobile phone to the base station while maintaining functionality of the mobile phone in the case that the password of the location query not being a matching password; and

sending with the mobile phone GPS data to the base station in the case that the password of the location query is a matching password.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third party device comprises a telephone.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third party device comprises a website.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in a second mode of the mobile phone and responsive to the location query, sending with the mobile device GPS data.

5. A computer program product comprising program code on at least one computer readable storage device that, when executed by at least one computing device, implements a mobile phone location system on a mobile phone, the mobile phone including a global position system (GPS) module, the computer program product comprising program code configured to:

receive by the mobile phone a location query from a third party device via a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO) and a base station associated with the mobile phone, wherein the location query includes at least a telephone number of the mobile phone;

in a first mode in which the mobile phone blocks GPS data from being sent to the base station unless the location query includes a matching password while maintaining functionality of the mobile phone, determine, using the mobile phone, whether the location query includes a matching password and

in the case that the password of the location query is determined to be a matching password, send, with the mobile phone, the GPS data, or, in the case that the password of the location query is determined not to be a matching password, block GPS data from being sent to the base station.

6. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the third party device comprises a telephone.

7. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the third party device comprises a website.

8. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the program code is further configured to include a second mode of the mobile phone in which the mobile phone sends the GPS data responsive to the location query without the mobile phone determining whether the location query includes a matching password.

9. The computer program product of claim 5, wherein the program code is further configured to determine whether the mobile phone is in the first mode, and further including program code configured to enable the mobile phone to block the GPS data from being sent while maintaining functionality of the mobile phone.

10. The computer program product of claim 5, further comprising program code configured to convert the GPS data into an address.

11. The computer program product of claim 5, further comprising program code configured to convert the GPS data into a point on a map.

12. A mobile phone that is locatable within a wireless network, comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS) module for obtaining GPS data;

a mobile phone locating system configured to receive a location query from a third party via a base station;

a first mode of the mobile phone in which the mobile phone maintains functionality while blocking GPS data from being sent by the mobile phone locating system to the third party unless the location query is determined by the mobile phone to include a matching password; and

a second mode of the mobile phone in which the mobile phone will allow GPS data to be sent by the mobile phone locating system to the third party via the base station,

wherein, in the first mode, the mobile phone is operable to;

determine whether the location query includes a matching password;

in the case that it is determined that the location query includes a matching password, send the GPS data to the base station; and

in the case that it is determined that the location query does not include a matching password, block the GPS data from being sent to the base station.

13. The mobile phone of claim 12, further comprising an interface for selecting one of the first mode or the second mode.

14. The mobile phone of claim 12, further comprising an interface for setting a password of the mobile phone, wherein the password of the location query is a matching password when it matches the password as determined by the mobile phone.

15. The mobile phone of claim 12, wherein the GPS data includes a GPS code and a time.

16. The mobile phone of claim 12, wherein the GPS module is detachable from the mobile phone.

17. The mobile phone of claim 12, wherein the GPS module is integrated into the mobile phone.