Method and apparatus for sharing location information of electronic device

• US 9,641,967 B2
• Filed: 12/12/2014
• Issued: 05/02/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Choi, Wonsuk, Son, Kwangsub, Yoon, Suha, Han, Youngeun
• Primary Examiner(s): Timory, Kabir A
• Application Number:
  US14/568,887
• Publication Number:
  US 20150172858A1
• Time in Patent Office: 872 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0072 Transmission between mobile stations, e.g. anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/107 wherein the security policies are location-dependent, e.g. entities privileges depend on current location or allowing specific operations only from locally connected terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/108 when the policy decisions are valid for a limited amount of time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/67 by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/63 Location-dependent; Proximity-dependent
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for sharing location information of an electronic device. The method includes receiving a request for sharing the location information; determining a sharing level of a party upon the receipt of the request for sharing the location information; obtaining the location information of the electronic device; and changing the obtained location information into location information corresponding to the sharing level and transmitting the changed location information.

Claims

1. A method of sharing location information of an electronic device, the method comprising:

receiving a request for sharing the location information;

determining a sharing level of a party upon the receipt of the request for sharing the location information;

obtaining the location information of the electronic device; and

changing the obtained location information into location information corresponding to the sharing level of the party and transmitting the changed location information,

wherein determining the sharing level further comprises adjusting the sharing level by comparing status information registered in an application with current status information of the electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the sharing level comprises, if the sharing level information of the other party is registered in the contact information, determined the sharing level based on the contact information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the sharing level comprises, if a difference value, which is calculated by comparing the status information registered in the application with the current status information, is within an adjustment critical value, adjusting the sharing level.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, determining the sharing level further comprises, if the difference value is not within the adjustment critical value, determining the sharing level as a default level.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the status information comprises time information or location information.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the executed application comprises applications of a schedule, a memo, a message, an e-mail, a Social Networking Service (SNS) and an instant messenger.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising, if the time information exceeds a current time, when the request for sharing the location information is received, the location information corresponding to the sharing level is not transmitted.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the location information of the electronic device comprises obtaining by using at least one of a Global Positioning System (GPS), a Wireless Fidelity Positioning System (WPS), a Sensor Positioning System (SPS) and a cell identifier (cell-ID) of a cellular network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein changing the obtained location information of the electronic device comprises checking mapping information corresponding to the determined sharing level and changing the location information by using the mapping information.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the mapping information comprises a geographical coordinate, regional zone information and the cell-ID.

11. An apparatus for sharing location information of an electronic device, the apparatus comprising:

a communication unit configured to receive a request for sharing the location information and transmit the location information;

a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver configured to receive current location information of the electronic device;

a sensor unit configured to detect movement and a speed of the electronic device to receive a location change; and

a controller configured to receive the request for sharing the location information via the communication unit, determine a sharing level of a party upon the receipt of the request for sharing the location information, obtain the location information of the electronic device, change the obtained location information into location information corresponding to the sharing level of the party, and transmit the changed location information,

wherein the controller is further configured to adjust the sharing level by comparing status information registered in an application with current status information of the electronic device.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the controller is further configured to, if the sharing level information of the party is registered in the contact information, determine the sharing level based on the contact information, and if an executed application providing the location information includes the sharing level information, determine the sharing level based on the sharing level of the executed application.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the controller is further configured to, if a difference value, which is calculated by comparing status information registered in the executed application with current status information, is within an adjustment critical value, adjust the sharing level, and if the difference value is not within the adjustment critical value, determine the sharing level as a default level.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, the controller is further configured to obtain the location information by using at least one of the GPS, a Wireless Fidelity Positioning System (WPS), a Sensor Positioning System (SPS) and a cell identified (cell-ID) of a cellular network.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the controller is further configured to check mapping information corresponding to the determined sharing level, and change the determined location information into location information corresponding to the sharing level by using the mapping information.