US6553236B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
On demand location function for mobile terminal
Assignee: Ericsson Inc
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Filing: 2000-03-28
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Granted: 2003-04-22
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Expires: 2020-03-28
Abstract
Abstract A wireless communications system supports affinity groups of like minded individuals who wish to know locations of other members of the affinity group. The system supports members of the affinity group querying, through a mobile terminal for the location of a remote member of the affinity group as sensed by the remote member's mobile terminal. Rather than report raw geocoordinates, location place-name descriptions are defined by the members of the affinity group and shared amongst one another. Additionally, situational alarms may be generated in the event certain user defined criteria are met, such as two remote members of the affinity group being in close proximity to one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory Dunko
- 👤 Jon Lohr
- 👤 Javor Kolev
- 👤 Edward V. Jolley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:33
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W64/00; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/08; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/04; H04L67/2866; H04L67/30; H04L67/306; H04L67/50; H04L67/52; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/724; H04M1/72448; H04M1/72457; H04W4/00; H04W4/02; H04W4/021; H04W4/029; H04W4/20; H04W4/21; H04W4/12; H04W4/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of determining a location of a remote member of an affinity group, said remote member having a remote mobile terminal associated therewith, said method comprising: initiating a query at a first mobile terminal as to the location presently associated with the remote member of the affinity group; and responding to said query at the remote mobile terminal by: sensing, with said remote mobile terminal, the location presently associated with the remote member; and providing a location-place name description to the first mobile terminal, wherein said location-place name description is provided by the remote terminal and corresponds to the location presently associated with the remote member of the affinity group.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of determining a location of a remote member of an affinity group, said remote member having a remote mobile terminal associated therewith, said method comprising: initiating a query at a first mobile terminal as to the location presently associated with the remote member of the affinity group; and responding to said query at the remote mobile terminal by: sensing, with said remote mobile terminal, the location presently associated with the remote member; and providing a location-place name description to the first mobile terminal, wherein said location-place name description is provided by the remote terminal and corresponds to the location presently associated with the remote member of the affinity group.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein initiating a query at a first mobile terminal comprises initiating a query as to locations presently associated with a plurality of members of the affinity group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising receiving the query at different remote mobile terminals, each of said different remote terminals associated with different ones of said plurality of members of the affinity group.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein providing said location-place name description comprises providing a last known location place-name description associated with said remote member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 4 wherein providing indicia comprises providing a last known location place-name description associated with said remote member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein providing said location-place name description comprises providing a vector referencing a location place-name description.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A plurality of mobile terminals adapted to facilitate communication amongst members of an affinity group, said mobile terminals comprising: a transceiver in a first mobile terminal for wireless communication between said first mobile terminal associated with a first member of the affinity group and a second member of the affinity group; a location detector for sensing geocoordinates corresponding to a present location of said first mobile terminal, said location detector activated in response to a query from said second member of the affinity group; and a controller operatively connected to said transceiver and said location detector for communicating a location-place name description through said transceiver in said first mobile terminal, to said second member of the affinity group in response to a query from said second member, said location-place name description related to the present location of said first mobile terminal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A plurality of mobile terminals adapted to facilitate communication amongst members of an affinity group, said mobile terminals comprising: a transceiver in a first mobile terminal for wireless communication between said first mobile terminal associated with a first member of the affinity group and a second member of the affinity group; a location detector for sensing geocoordinates corresponding to a present location of said first mobile terminal, said location detector activated in response to a query from said second member of the affinity group; and a controller operatively connected to said transceiver and said location detector for communicating a location-place name description through said transceiver in said first mobile terminal, to said second member of the affinity group in response to a query from said second member, said location-place name description related to the present location of said first mobile terminal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The mobile terminal of claim 7 wherein said location-place name description comprises a last known location place-name description associated with said second member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mobile terminal of claim 7 wherein said location-place name description comprises a vector referencing a known location place-name description.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-04-21 | 2006-10-21 | 2007-04-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-04-21 | 2010-10-21 | 2011-04-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-04-21 | 2014-10-21 | 2015-04-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |