Network independent location services

• US 10,841,729 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2015
• Issued: 11/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Edge, Stephen W
• Primary Examiner(s): Reagan, James A
• Application Number:
  US14/796,033
• Publication Number:
  US 20150319571A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,957 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/05 providing aiding data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• 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: G06Q 20/3829 involving key management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0869 for achieving mutual authentication cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for mutual authentication H04L9/3273
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/64 using geofenced areas
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Techniques for supporting network independent location services (LCS) are described. In one design, a location center may communicate with a terminal to establish an account for the terminal with the location center for location services. The location center may establish the account for the terminal independent of a home network or a serving network for the terminal. During signup to establish the account, the location center may (i) provide address information for the location center, security information, and/or other information for the location center and (ii) receive public identity information and/or other information for the terminal. The location center may thereafter provide location services to the terminal based on the established account and without interacting with the home or serving network for the terminal. Techniques for supporting delivery of assistance data are also described.

Claims

1. A method of supporting location services for a terminal by a location server, the method comprising:

receiving measured data from the terminal at a communications unit of the location server, the measured data comprising information related to a serving base station of the terminal;

determining, by the location server and based on the measured data, a geographic area that is larger than a current coverage area of the serving base station of the terminal; and

providing, to the terminal, terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the determined geographic area.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the geographic area comprises determining the geographic area based on areas where the terminal is likely to be located.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises providing terrestrial assistance data for base stations within a predetermined distance from a current location of the terminal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the measured data comprises receiving information indicative of base stations encountered by the terminal, and further wherein the determining the geographic area comprises determining the geographic area based on areas encompassing the encountered base stations.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the measured data comprises receiving information indicative of locations visited by the terminal, and further wherein the determining the geographic area comprises determining the geographic area based on areas encompassing the visited locations.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing terrestrial assistance data to the terminal comprises sending at least one Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) message comprising the terrestrial assistance data to the terminal.

7. A location server for supporting location services for a terminal, the location server comprising:

a communications unit configured to receive measured data from the terminal, the measured data comprising information related to a serving base station of the terminal;

at least one processor, coupled to the communications unit, configured to determine a geographic area larger than a current coverage area of the serving base station of the terminal based on the measured data and configured to provide, to the terminal, terrestrial assistance data for base stations within the determined geographic area; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

8. The location server of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is configured to provide terrestrial assistance data for base stations within a predetermined distance from a current location of the terminal.

9. The location server of claim 7, wherein the measured data comprises information indicative of base stations encountered by the terminal, and further wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the geographic area based on areas encompassing the encountered base stations.

10. The location server of claim 7, wherein the measured data comprises information indicative of locations visited by the terminal, and further wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine the geographic area based on areas encompassing the visited locations.