Location system and method for identifying position of mobile terminal that can communicate based on repeater in radio zone, and mobile terminal that can communicate based on repeater in radio zone

• US 6,415,155 B1
• Filed: 01/05/1999
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Locus LP
• Original Assignee: Locus LP
• Inventors: Koshima, Hiroaki, Kumamoto, Katsuhiko, Muya, Kimio
• Primary Examiner(s): VO, NGUYEN THANH
• Application Number:
  US09/225,544
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456, 455/457, 455/7, 342/450, 342/463, 342/464, 701/200, 701/300
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/14 Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A plurality of ID transmitters that can issue an ID are provided in a building. A center station registers position information that allows identification of the position of an ID transmitter for every different ID. A PHS mobile terminal measures the received field intensity of each repeater and each ID transmitter. The measured result is sent to the center station. The center station identifies the position of the mobile terminal according to the measured result and the position information. Accordingly, the accuracy of the location of a mobile terminal can be improved without increasing the number of repeaters.

Claims

1. A location system for identifying the position of a mobile terminal that can communicate based on a plurality of repeaters provided at a plurality of radio zones that forms a communication network, comprising:

a plurality of transmitters installed around said mobile terminal configured for sending transmitter identification information that allows identification of each transmitter to said mobile terminal by a wave of a predetermined transmission output, wherein said plurality of transmitters is not connected to said communication network;

a received field intensity measurement unit configured to measure received field intensity of signals from said plurality of transmitters at said mobile terminal and to measure received field intensity of signals from said plurality of repeaters at said mobile terminal; and

a position identify unit configured for identifying the position of said mobile terminal according to a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of transmitters and a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of repeaters.

2. The location system according to claim 1, further comprising transmission apparatus configured for sending a measured result of said received field intensity measurement unit to said position identification unit.

3. The location system according to claim 1, wherein said repeater is a repeater in a personal handyphone system.

4. A location method for identifying the position of a mobile terminal that can communicate based on a plurality of repeaters provided in a plurality of radio zones that forms a communication network, comprising:

sending from a plurality of transmitters installed around said mobile terminal transmitter identification information that allows identification of each transmitter to said mobile terminal by a wave of a predetermined transmission output, wherein said plurality of transmitters is not connected to said communication network;

measuring received field intensity of signals from said plurality of transmitters at said mobile terminal;

measuring received field intensity of signals from said plurality of repeaters at said mobile terminal; and

identifying the position of said mobile terminal according to a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of transmitters and a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of repeaters.

5. A mobile terminal that is configured to communicate based on a plurality of repeaters provided in a plurality of radio zones that forms a communication network, comprising:

a received field intensity measurement unit configured for measuring received field intensity of signals from said plurality of repeaters and signals from a plurality of transmitters installed around said mobile terminal, wherein said plurality of transmitters is not connected to said communication network;

a memory arranged for storing a measured result of said received field intensity measurement unit; and

a transmission apparatus configured to send a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of transmitters and a measured result of received field intensity of said signals from said plurality of repeaters to one of said plurality of repeaters.

6. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, wherein said mobile terminal is a terminal used in a personal handyphone system.