GB2419065A - Mobile terminal capable of generating a distress signal that contains coordinate data - Google Patents
Mobile terminal capable of generating a distress signal that contains coordinate data Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2419065A GB2419065A GB0422281A GB0422281A GB2419065A GB 2419065 A GB2419065 A GB 2419065A GB 0422281 A GB0422281 A GB 0422281A GB 0422281 A GB0422281 A GB 0422281A GB 2419065 A GB2419065 A GB 2419065A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- mobile terminal
- coordinate
- unit
- coordinate data
- service provider
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/90—Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
- H04W4/029—Location-based management or tracking services
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/50—Connection management for emergency connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
Abstract
A mobile terminal (2) includes a coordinate-calculating unit (22) and a telecommunications unit (24). The coordinate-calculating unit (22) is operable so as to generate coordinate data of an immediate vicinity of the mobile terminal (2). The telecommunications unit (24) is coupled to the coordinate-calculating unit (22), and is operable so as to generate a distress signal that includes the coordinate data generated by the coordinate-calculating unit (22), and that is subsequently transmitted to a predetermined locating party (71) through a wireless telecommunications network (74).
Description
1 2419065
MOBILE TERMINAL CAPABLE OF GENERATING A DISTRESS SIGNAL
THAT CONTAINS COORDINATE DATA
The invention relates to a mobile terminal, more particularly to a mobile terminal that is capable of generating a distress signal that contains its coordinate data.
Aconventionalmobileterminalemploysnetwork-based positioning technology, such as an enhanced observed time difference (E-OTD), a cell site ID (cell ID), or atime of arrival (TOA), which enables the conventional mobile terminal to obtain its location information.
However, these network-based technologies provide imprecise location information, and cannot be relied upon in emergency situations.
Another conventional mobile terminal employs satellite-based positioning technology, such as a global positioning system (GPS), which enables the conventional mobile terminal to obtain its location information. Although the GPS provides relatively preciselocation information, the GPS is not accessible inside buildings.
Another conventional mobile terminal employs both network-based and satellite-based positioning technologies, such as Wherify, that enables the conventional mobile terminal to obtain its location information, and to subsequently transmit the location information to an inquiring party in response to a location request from theinquiringparty.Although the network-based positioning technology in combination with the satellitebased positioning technology provides relatively precise location information, the conventional mobile terminal is not permitted to initiate the location request.
Therefore, the object of the present invention is toprovidealocationbasedenabledmobileterminalthat is capable of generating a distress signalthat contains its coordinate data.
According tothepresentinvention,amobile terminal comprises a coordinatecalculating unit and a telecommunications unit. The coordinatecalculating unit is operable so as to generate coordinate data of an immediate vicinity of the mobile terminal. The telecommunications unit is coupled to the coordinate-calculating unit, and is operable so as to generate a distress signal that includes the coordinate data generated by the coordinate-calculating unit, and that is subsequently transmitted to a predetermined locating party through a wireless telecommunications network.
Other features and advantages of the present inventionwillbecomeapparentinthefollowingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figurelisaschematicblockdiagramofthepreferred embodiment of a mobile terminalaccordingto the present invention; Figure2isaschematicviewtoillustrateassociation of the mobile terminal with a GPS service provider, a wireless telecommunications network, alocating party, and an inquiring party; Figures3and4 are flowcharts ofmethodeforlocating the mobile terminal; and Figures5is a flowchart of a method for transmitting a distress signal from the mobile terminaltoalocating party.
ReferringtoFiguresland2,thepreferredembodiment of a mobile terminal 2 according to this invention is shown to include a coordinate-calculating unit 22 and a telecommunications unit 24.
The mobile terminal 2 further includes a logic controller unit 21 operable so as to access services, such as voice and data communications, provided by a service provider of a wireless telecommunications network 74, in a known manner. It is noted that the wireless telecommunications network 74 in this embodimentisa global system formobile communications (GSM) network.
The service provider of the wireless telecommunications network 74 further provides a location-based service 741, such as a serving mobile location center (SMLC).
The coordinate-calculating unit22 is coupled to the logic controller unit 21, and is operable so as to generate coordinate data of an immediate vicinity of the mobile terminal 2. In particular, the coordinatecalculating unit 22 includes an assisted global positioning system (A-GPS) module 221 that transmits a first position request to a global positioning system (GPS) service provider 72 through a GPS (not shown), and that receives first position information from the GPS service provider 72 through the GPS. The coordinate-calculating unit 22 further transmits a second position request to the location-based service, and receives second position informationtherefrom.Thecoordinate- calculatingunit 22 then derives the coordinate data from the first and second position information.
The telecommunications unit 24 is coupled to the coordinate-calculating unit 22 through the logic controller unit 21, and is operable so as to generate a distress signal that includes the coordinate data generated by the coordinate-calculating unit 22, and that is subsequently transmitted to a predetermined locating party 71 through the wireless telecommunications network 74. It is noted that the distress signal is received by a distress signal receiving device (not shown) operated by the locating party 71. It is further noted that the distress signal maybe received by the distress signal receiving device through the internet 75.
The mobile terminal 2 further includes a protocol unit 23 coupled between the logic controller unit 21 and the telecommunications unit 24, and is operable so as to handle the communications between the mobile terminal 2 and the location-based service 741. It is noted that the protocol unit 23 enables the telecommunications unit 24 to partly conform to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP).
The telecommunications unit 24 includes a short messageservice(SMS)module 241 operable soastoreceive textmessageinputs, andatransmissioncontrolprotocol (TOP) module 242 operable so as to handle communication between the wireless telecommunications network 74 and the distress signal receiving device of the locating party 71. It is noted that the TCP module 242 conforms to a transmission control protocol internet protocol (TCP/IP).
The mobile terminal 2 further includes an audio recording unit 25 coupled to the telecommunications unit 24 through thelogic controller unit 21, andis operable so as to record voice messages in an audio format, such as an adaptive multi-rate (AMR) format. The audio recording unit 25 is further operable so as to convert the recorded voice messages into packet data for subsequent transmission.
In this embodiment, the distress signal can further include a text message previously entered using the SMS module241, oravoicemessagepreviouslyrecordedusing the audio recording unit 25.
The telecommunications unit 24 is further operable so as to generate a location information signal that includes the coordinate data generated by the coordinate-calculating unit 22, and that is subsequently transmitted to an inquiring party 73 through the wireless telecommunicationenetwork74 when the telecommunications unit 24 receives a location request signal transmitted by the inquiring party 73 through the wireless telecommunications network 74. It is nosed that thelocation request signalis transmitted and the location information signal is received by a position-monitoring device (not shown) operated by the inquiring party 73.
Themobileterminal2furtherincludesasubscriber's identity module (SIM) 27 that is coupled to the logic controller unit 21, and that is responsible for identification of the mobile terminals and for storing phone numbers and security codes.
Themobileterminal2furtherincludesamemorymodule 28 that is coupled to the logic controller unit 21, and that is used to store the coordinate data generated by the coordinate-calculating unit 22.
The mobile terminal 2 further includes a memory controller unit 26 that couples the SIM and memory modules 27, 28 to the logic controller unit 21. In this embodiment, the memory controller unit 26 includes a SIM processor 261 responsible for writing and reading activities of the SIMmodule 27, and a memoryprocessor 262 responsible for writing and reading activities of the memory module 28.
A method for determining a current location of the mobile terminal user using the preferred embodiment of the mobile terminal 2 of this invention includes the steps shown in Figure 3: In step 31, the mobile terminal 2 is operated, such as bypressing a hot key, to transmit the first and second position requests to the GPS service provider 72 and the LBS 741 of the wireless telecommunications network 74.
In step 32, the mobile terminal 2 is enabled to subsequently and respectively receive the first and second position information transmitted by the GPS service provider 72 and the LBS 741 of the wireless telecommunications network 74.
Thereafter, in step 33, the mobile terminal 2 is configured to derive the coordinate data from the first and second position information.
The method for determining the current location of the mobile terminal user using the preferred embodiment of the mobile terminal 2 of this invention further includes the steps shown in Figure 4: In step 41, if a location request signal is received, the flow proceeds to step 42. Otherwise, the flow goes back to step 41.
In step 42, in response to the location request signal, the mobile terminal 2 is enabled to transmit the coordinate data to the inquiring party 73. Thereafter, the flow goes back to step 41.
A method for transmitting the distress signal to the locating party 71 using the preferred embodiment of the mobile terminal 2 of this invention further includes the steps shown in Figure 5: In step 51, the mobile terminal 2 is operated, such as by pressing a hot key, to transmit the first and second position requests to the GPS service provider 72 and the LBS 741 of the wireless telecommunications network 74.
In step 52, the mobile terminal 2 is enabled to subsequently and respectively receive the first and second position information transmitted by the GPS service provider 72 and the LBS 741 of the wireless telecommunications network 74.
In step 53, the mobile terminal 2 is configured to derive the coordinate data from the first and second position information.
In step 54, the mobile terminal 2 is enabled to transmit the distress signal to the locating party 71.
Claims (9)
- CLAIMS: l. A mobile terminal comprising: a coordinate-calculating unitoperable so as to generate coordinate data of an immediate vicinity of said mobile terminal; and a telecommunications unit coupled to said coordinate-calculating unit, and operable so as to generate a distress signal that includes the coordinate datageneratedbysaidcoordinatecalculatingunit, and that is subsequently transmitted to a predetermined locating party through a wireless telecommunications network.
- 2. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim l, wherein said telecommunications unit is further operable so as to generate alocationinformation signal thatincludes the coordinate data generated by said coordinate-calculating unit, and that is subsequently transmitted to an inquiring party through the wireless telecommunications network when said telecommunications unit receives a location request signal transmitted by the inquiring party through the wireless telecommunications network.
- 3. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim l, wherein said coordinatecalculating unitis adapted to transmit a position request to a global positioning system (GPS) service provider and to receive position information from the GPS service provider, 1 0 said coordinatecalculating unit deriving the coordinate data from the position information.
- 4. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said coordinatecalculating unitis adapted to transmit a first position request to a global positioning system (GPS) service provider and to receive first position information from the GPS service provider, said coordinate-calculating unitis further adapted totransmitasecondpositionrequesttoalocation-based service provided by a service provider of the wireless telecommunications network and to receive second position information from the location-based service, said coordinate-calculating unit deriving the coordinate data from the first and second position information.
- 5. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the distress signal is in a short message service (SMS) format.
- 6. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising an audio recording unit coupled to said telecommunications unit, the distress signal being in a voice mailformat end furtherincludinga voice message previously recorded using said audio recording unit.
- 7. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said telecommunications unit includes at least one of an SMS module and a TCP module.
- 8. The mobile terminal as claimed in Claim 1, wherein 1 1 said telecommunications unit partly conforms to a radio resource location services protocol (RRLP).
- 9. The mobile terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0422281A GB2419065A (en) | 2004-10-07 | 2004-10-07 | Mobile terminal capable of generating a distress signal that contains coordinate data |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0422281A GB2419065A (en) | 2004-10-07 | 2004-10-07 | Mobile terminal capable of generating a distress signal that contains coordinate data |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0422281D0 GB0422281D0 (en) | 2004-11-10 |
| GB2419065A true GB2419065A (en) | 2006-04-12 |
Family
ID=33443527
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0422281A Withdrawn GB2419065A (en) | 2004-10-07 | 2004-10-07 | Mobile terminal capable of generating a distress signal that contains coordinate data |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2419065A (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6125300A (en) * | 1984-07-13 | 1986-02-04 | 矢野 綽央 | Crossing alarm for crossing |
| US5515043A (en) * | 1994-08-17 | 1996-05-07 | Berard; Alfredo J. | Cellular/GPS system for vehicle tracking |
| EP0737952A1 (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1996-10-16 | Ford Motor Company | Vehicular emergency message system |
| JP2000251177A (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2000-09-14 | Harada Ind Co Ltd | Portable emergency notification device |
| US6340928B1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2002-01-22 | Trw Inc. | Emergency assistance system using bluetooth technology |
| GB2374250A (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-09 | Nec Technologies | Personal assistance alarm and system |
| DE10238805A1 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-03-04 | Harman Becker Automotive Systems (Becker Division) Gmbh | Emergency call device to send an automatic call uses a position-detection device to detect the geographical position of the emergency call device and a mobile telephone to transmit a message |
-
2004
- 2004-10-07 GB GB0422281A patent/GB2419065A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS6125300A (en) * | 1984-07-13 | 1986-02-04 | 矢野 綽央 | Crossing alarm for crossing |
| US5515043A (en) * | 1994-08-17 | 1996-05-07 | Berard; Alfredo J. | Cellular/GPS system for vehicle tracking |
| EP0737952A1 (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1996-10-16 | Ford Motor Company | Vehicular emergency message system |
| JP2000251177A (en) * | 1999-02-26 | 2000-09-14 | Harada Ind Co Ltd | Portable emergency notification device |
| US6340928B1 (en) * | 2000-06-22 | 2002-01-22 | Trw Inc. | Emergency assistance system using bluetooth technology |
| GB2374250A (en) * | 2001-04-02 | 2002-10-09 | Nec Technologies | Personal assistance alarm and system |
| DE10238805A1 (en) * | 2002-08-23 | 2004-03-04 | Harman Becker Automotive Systems (Becker Division) Gmbh | Emergency call device to send an automatic call uses a position-detection device to detect the geographical position of the emergency call device and a mobile telephone to transmit a message |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0422281D0 (en) | 2004-11-10 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |