Mobile device location determination using micronetworks
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method for determining a geographic location of a dual-mode mobile device, the method comprising:
- establishing, through a first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device, a communication session with a macronetwork,wherein the communication session with a macronetwork is established using a first protocol;
evaluating, by communicating with the macronetwork, whether a geographic location of the dual-mode mobile device, satisfying a location determination criteria, can be obtained from the macronetwork; and
following the evaluating that the macronetwork-obtained location of the dual-mode mobile device would fail the location determination criteria, obtaining location information by;
broadcasting, through a second network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol, a distress message to a micronetwork,wherein the broadcasting of a distress message to a micronetwork enables the location information to be obtained regardless of whether a two-way communication session Is established with the micronetwork;
maintaining, at the mobile device, the communication session with the macronetwork through the first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using the first protocol;
receiving an identifier from the micronetwork; and
retrieving location information based on the received identifier.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A facility for determining the location of a mobile device when a location determination of a desired accuracy is desired. If available, the facility determines the location of the mobile device using a device-based technique or using a location determination technique that is accessible over a macronetwork. Macronetworks are networks that are designed to cover relatively large areas. If a location determination technique of desired accuracy is not available on the device or over a macronetwork, the facility attempts to use a location determination technique that is accessible over a micronetwork to determine the location of the mobile device. Micronetworks are networks that are designed to cover smaller areas. By forcing a switch from a macronetwork-based location determination technique to a micronetwork-based location determination technique, the facility ensures that a location determination is made for the mobile device of a desired accuracy, time to fix (TTF), and/or yield.
212 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for determining a geographic location of a dual-mode mobile device, the method comprising:
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establishing, through a first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device, a communication session with a macronetwork, wherein the communication session with a macronetwork is established using a first protocol; evaluating, by communicating with the macronetwork, whether a geographic location of the dual-mode mobile device, satisfying a location determination criteria, can be obtained from the macronetwork; and
following the evaluating that the macronetwork-obtained location of the dual-mode mobile device would fail the location determination criteria, obtaining location information by;broadcasting, through a second network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol, a distress message to a micronetwork, wherein the broadcasting of a distress message to a micronetwork enables the location information to be obtained regardless of whether a two-way communication session Is established with the micronetwork; maintaining, at the mobile device, the communication session with the macronetwork through the first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using the first protocol;
receiving an identifier from the micronetwork; and
retrieving location information based on the received identifier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system configured for determining a physical location of a dual-mode mobile device, the system comprising:
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at least one physical processor; at least one memory storing instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, performs a method for— establishing, through a first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a first protocol, a communication session with a macronetwork; evaluating, by communicating with the macronetwork, whether a physical location of the dual-mode mobile device, satisfying a location determination criteria, can be obtained from the macronetwork; and following the evaluating that the macronetwork-obtained location would fail the location determination criteria, obtaining location information by; broadcasting, through a second network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol, a distress message to a micronetwork, wherein the broadcasting enables the location information to be obtained regardless of whether a two-way communication session is established with the micronetwork; maintaining, at the dual-mode mobile device, the communication session with the macronetwork through the first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using the first protocol; receiving an identifier from the micronetwork; and retrieving location information based on the received identifier. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions configured to cause one or more processors to perform a method for determining a location of a dual-mode mobile device, the method comprising:
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establishing, through a first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a first protocol, a communication session with a macronetwork; evaluating, by communicating with the macronetwork, whether a location of the dual-mode mobile device, satisfying a location determination criteria, can be obtained from the macronetwork; and obtaining, following the evaluating that the macronetwork-obtained location would fail the location determination criteria, location information by; transmitting, through a second network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using a second protocol distinct from the first protocol, an alert message to the micronetwork, wherein the transmitting of the alert message to the micronetwork enables the location information to be obtained regardless of whether a two-way communication session is established with the micronetwork; maintaining, at the dual-mode mobile device, the communication session with the macronetwork through the first network interface of the dual-mode mobile device using the first protocol; receiving an identifier from the micronetwork; and retrieving location information based on the received identifier. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification