MXPA06005782A - Location information system reflecting user preferences and service providing method - Google Patents

Abstract

For users with user terminals in a wireless or mobile network, a mechanism is provided for returning a representative location based on the user's profile settings and the user's current physical location. The representative location is not the user's actual physical location, but a conceptual location used for reporting the user's physical location in order to activate various functions and capabilities of the user terminal according to where the user is located. By employing representative locations, various necessary information and corresponding rela¬tionships between the user's actual location, which may continuously change due to the user's mobility, and the user preferences containing profile settings allowing the user's terminal to operate in a certain manner designated for certain physical locations, are more efficiently handled and managed.

Description

LOCATION INFORMATION SYSTEM THAT REFLECTS THE USER'S PREFERENCES AND METHOD TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mobile (or wireless or radio) communication system and, in particular, to a location information system that allows a user to set different user preferences (user profile specifications) in accordance with different regions (locations), as well as a method for »Provide a preferred information service for said system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mobile (or wireless or radio) communication system and, in particular, to a location information system that allows a user to set different user preferences (user profile specifications) in accordance with different regions (locations), as well as a method to provide a preferred information service for that system. In general, a mobile (or wireless or radio) communication system includes a function unit related to calculating the location of a terminal (eg, user device, user equipment (UE), mobile handset, etc.) in a mobile communications network, to provide a location service that sends the terminal location information (i.e., the user's physical location) to a particular entity on a periodic or on request basis. The network architecture related to the location service differs depending on the internal network architecture of a 3GPP network, a 3GPP2 network or other types of networks. Several methods are known for calculating the terminal location, including a cell identification method that sends an identity (ID) of the current cell (region) where the terminal is located, a method for measuring the time required for the signals to reach each of the base stations (eg, Node B) from the terminal, and then the triangulation calculations to obtain the terminal location, as well as a method for using system techniques global positioning (GPS, for its acronym in English). However, in the location information systems of the related art, the user can receive their own location information (physical location), but the user can not specify or establish, respectively, different characteristics according to their location (i.e. , the physical location when moving), such as the information that is displayed on your terminal, the terminal's operating methods and user preferences (eg, user profile specifications for particular operations of the terminal) for the report of location.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical problem One purpose of the present invention is to provide a location information system and an information service method of preferences thereof, to allow the user to specify different operations and location reports in accordance with particular regions that the user specifies.

Technical solution To achieve this purpose, the location information system and information service method of preferences in accordance with the present invention, has a privacy verification entity to specify the user preferences in accordance with the areas of preference and , when a location report request is activated, the preference information that was specified for the area of preference where the user is currently located is reported as the location of the Enabled Terminal of the SUPL (SET, for its acronym in English ). Preferably, preference information is a location that connects a local area network with the internet, which represents one or more preference areas, while the location report request is activated when a triggered event is performed or when a location report request is actually entered. Preferably, the triggered event is specified by a triggered location report request message. Preferably, the actual location report request is made by an immediate standard location request message. Preferably, the triggered event includes a reporting period defined by periods of time, a terminal operation defined by the 'available UE', a change of area defined by a 'change of area', and so on. Preferably, the preference information is reported by means of a triggered location report response or an immediate response message of standard location. Preferably, if the measured location does not constitute an area of preference or if a certain set of preference information does not exist, a previously designated value or the value of the actual location is reported. To achieve the above purpose, the information information method of preference of the location information system according to the present invention, comprises: a step of specifying preference information in accordance with the user's preference area; one step of recording preference information and each of the areas of preference; a step of verifying if the user's current location is included in a certain area of preference; and, if the user's current location is included in a certain area of preference, one step of activating the preferences information established for the corresponding preference area. Preferably, the preference information includes information displayed in the terminal, methods of operation of the terminal and a method of location reporting. Preferably, the preference information is stored in a storage medium and each area of preference is stored in a separate function unit of a location server. Preferably, the storage means is a privacy verification entity and the function unit receives a user location from the function unit, to verify if the user has moved to a particular preference area. To achieve the above purpose, the location information system according to the present invention comprises: a terminal that specifies preference information for each particular area; a storage medium that stores the specified preference information; a location server that registers the area of preference that has the preferences information specified and verifies if the user is included in a certain area of preference; and an entity that activates the preferences information specified for the corresponding preference area, if the user is included in the particular area of preference. Preferably, the area of preference is one of a cell identification, a region with many cell identifications combined with each other, a city name and a country name. Preferably, the preference information includes the information displayed in the terminal, a method of operation of the terminal and a method of location reporting. Preferably, the preference information is a representative location that represents the user's actual location. Preferably, the entity is a physical entity that reports the preference information that is being specified for the preference area as a representative location, when a location report request is entered, while the storage medium is a verification entity Of privacy. Preferably, the establishment of the preference area and the function of the preference information are recorded in a subscriber profile function unit in the location server and the subscriber profile function unit, if the information function of the subscriber. preferences is specified on that site, receives the user's location from a unit of location calculation functions and verifies if the user has moved to a certain area of preference. To achieve the above purpose, the preference information service method of the location information system according to the present invention comprises: a step of storing preference information in a terminal application in accordance with the user's preference area; one step of receiving user location information from a wireless network; and a step, performed in the terminal application, of comparing a current user's location information with an area of preference and executing the preferences information specified for the corresponding preference area. Preferably, the terminal application executes the preference information when an external request occurs or, periodically, when a certain event is triggered. Preferably, the terminal application receives the user's location information through a terminal location enabler. Preferably, the location enabler stores information from a certain area of preference that has preference information specified for it. To achieve the above purpose, the preference information service method of the location information system according to the present invention comprises: a step of specifying a user preference area and preference information for each area of preference; a step of measuring a real user location when a location tracking request is generated; and a step of comparing the measured user's location with the area of preference and reporting the preference information that is specified for the corresponding preference area. Preferably, the preference information is a representative location that represents the real location of the user, just as the representative location includes a name of a particular region, a latitude and longitude information of a particular region and a similar one. Preferably, if the measured location is not an area of preference or if the given set of preference information does not exist, a previously designated value or the value of the actual location is reported. Preferably, the user's actual location is received from a network location server or a terminal location enabler.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 describes a schematic diagram of an example of location information system in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 depicts a flow chart of a user preference service method for a location information system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 describes a location reporting service performed by an Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 describes a location reporting service performed by an Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET) in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 describes a location reporting service performed by an Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET) in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 describes a triggered location reporting service performed by a network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 describes a triggered location reporting service performed by a network in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 describes a standard location reporting service performed by a network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 depicts a flow chart of a user preference service method for a location information system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

PREFERRED MODALITY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs 'representative' locations (eg, a location that connects a local area network with the internet, a pseudo-location, an abstract location, a symbolic location, etc.) and allows the user to specify different user preferences for different locations and provide the user with different terminal operations in accordance with their physical location. The use of 'representative' locations and of different user preferences for different locations, can provide the user with different terminal operations depending on where the user is physically located. Preferred examples of embodiments of the present invention will now be explained. However, the person skilled in the art would understand that the features of the present invention should not be limited solely to the embodiments described herein. The present invention provides a location information system that reflects (or considers) information of user preferences (eg, user profile specifications), provides an interface between each of the entities of said system, as well as provides a scheme for activate the user preferences information that is specified (or designated or established) for a particular region (eg, physical location), when the user physically moves into (or is entered into) the corresponding location (or region) ) that has been established previously. In the present invention, a location information system that reflects user preference information, refers to being able to specify different terminal operations and functions for a certain region (physical location) designated by the user. For example, the user of a terminal can specify (designate) his ring tone in vibrator mode when he is at work and in bell sound mode when he is at home, as well as specify (designate) if terminal so that international calls can not be made when you are at home or so that this data service can not be received. Therefore, when making these specifications (designations), the terminal can detect these specifications as the user moves with his terminal, so that the terminal is automatically put into vibrator mode when the user enters his workplace, or put in ringing mode when the user leaves his workplace. In other words, the functions that allow certain preferences information (user profiles) that are previously designated by the user to be activated when that user enters a certain region, form part of the location information system in accordance with the present invention. . To achieve this, an entity related to allowing the activation of particular terminal operations in particular regions must be added, as well as interfaces related thereto are additionally required. In addition, in the present invention, user preference information (eg, a user profile) can be stored in a network entity called a user preference repository (eg, privacy verification entity (PCE). English)) and, when a request is received for tracking a user's location (ie, a request to track the current location of the user's terminal), the current value of the user's physical location (eg, the x-coordinates). , and, z, GPS coordinates, etc.) is not reported, but a value representing the location (or region or area) previously designated by the user is used for the report (in particular, a representative location, a location that connects a local area network with the internet, a pseudo-location, an abstract location, a symbolic location, a conceptual location, a theoretical location, etc.) that reflects (or considers) the information e user preferences. In other words, the representative location does not indicate the actual physical location of the user but may, preferably, indicate a larger region or a larger area where the user is physically located. An advantage of using the concept of 'representative locations' is that the various necessary information and the corresponding relationships between the user's actual location (which can change continuously due to user mobility) and user preferences (profile specifications that allow that the user terminal operates in a certain way) designated for certain physical locations, are managed and managed more efficiently. This 'representative location' report refers to verifying the user profile (eg, the PCE) that has user preferences stored on that site, comparing the value of the user's actual physical location with a user preference designated previously to the user. receive a request for user location tracking, as well as report a representative location that represents (or means or denotes) the user's actual location. The representative location indicates one of the locations within one or more scales of a 'preference zone' that has been designated by the user. For example, the user can designate one of their preferences zones to be called 'home', which could indicate the city in which they reside. This 'home' zone may have one or more scales (eg, territories, borders, smaller regions, etc.) designated on that site, as neighborhood names, and each of the scales would have its own representative location that would be used to report the name of the neighborhood in which the user is located, instead of the user's actual location on a particular street or address within that neighborhood. Many regions can be specified as a representative location, while many representative locations can be specified differently for each respective region. Preferably, the regions that are specified as a preference zone and the user preference information of each preference zone can be specified or modified only by the authorized user himself. Figure 1 describes an example structure of the location information system of an embodiment of the present invention. As shown on that site, the location information system may comprise a storage medium 10, a location server 11, a remote server 12 and a user terminal 13. The storage medium 10 is a network element that exists in a portion of the network wireless and an example will include a privacy verification entity (PCE) or similar. The storage medium 10 stores user preference information (user profiles) related to a terminal operation in a particular region, user preference information (eg, representative locations) that are specified for each of the scales in a zone of user preferences and a similar one. The location server 11 may comprise a subscriber profile function unit, a unit of location calculation functions that calculates a current location of the terminal (user), as well as other entities necessary to support the location information service . The subscriber profile function unit may store information concerning whether a service (referred to as 'user preference service' hereinafter) related to a terminal operation in a particular region has or has not been specified (eg, if the user preferences service is active or inactive), as well as information related to the user preferences zone that is specified by the user. Since the prior art entities that handled the location information service did not perform any function related to the user preference information in accordance with the user's location, it may be said that said new particular entities are necessary for the management of the functions related to preferences information. The subscriber profile function unit stores the information related to the preference zone and the information related to whether a preference information service was or is not specified and, when the user enters a particular location, appropriate procedures are performed to allow the activation of the particular terminal operations (eg, user preferences) that the user has designated. In particular, the subscriber profile function unit reports to the remote server 12 that the user has entered a user preference zone, which was designated by that user, and allows the remote server 12 to activate the designated preference information. previously by the user. Here, the remote server 12 can request and receive the user preference information of the particular region that is stored in the storage medium 10. In addition, when there is a user tracking request (location), the profile function unit The subscriber compares the value of the actual physical location of the user provided from the unit of location calculation functions with the preference information stored in the storage means 10, as well as reports the 'representative location' that is specified for the information of user preferences. Additionally, the location information system of the present invention may comprise a remote server 12 that activates particular preference information that was specified by the user. In the present invention, the entity that handles the function of activating the particular preference information in accordance with a user location is called a 'remote server', while the location of the remote server 12 may differ depending on the architecture of the remote server. wireless network. The remote server 12 can be a physical entity with independent existence or can be included within an entity that is already part of a conventional wireless network architecture. Therefore, to activate the operations of a particular terminal 13 in a few regions designated by the user, interfaces between the location server 11 and the remote server 12 must be defined separately, between the storage medium 10 and the remote server 12, as well as between the remote server 12 and the terminal 13. In addition, the storage medium 10 and the remote server 12 are indicated as separate entities although, in another embodiment, the storage medium 10 could be included within the remote server 12. In the present invention, the operation of a particular terminal is specified in accordance with the user's location, while a field that can transfer the preference information specified by user location is added within the protocol interface between the terminal 13 and the storage medium 10. In particular, a capo is added for the transfer of preference information to the data transmission format between terminal 13 and storage medium 10.

The storage medium 10 can store information of particular user preferences, while the location server 11 can determine if the user enters a preference zone previously specified by the user and reports this to the remote server 12. Accordingly, the remote server 12 activates the preferences information (particular operation) of the terminal 13 designated by the user, if the user enters in a user preferences zone. The operations of each interface shown in Figure 1 are the following: Request (remote server 12 - storage medium 10): Used when a request for preference information related to a particular terminal operation occurs within a particular region. Here, the answer is a response to the corresponding request. Request (user terminal 13 - »storage medium 10): Used when the user wishes to store preference information related to a particular terminal operation of a particular location. Here, the answer is a response to the corresponding request. Request (user terminal 13 - location server 11) (subscriber profile function unit): Used when the user wishes to specify a particular location as the user's preferred location. Here, the answer is a response to the corresponding request. Request (remote server 12? User terminal 13): Used when the remote server 12 activates a particular terminal operation (preference information) designated by the user when the user moves to a particular location. Here, the answer is a response to the corresponding request. Final request (location server 11 (subscriber profile function unit) - »remote server 12): Used when the subscriber profile function unit determines that the user has moved to a particular location and reports this to the remote server 12. Here, the answer is a response to the corresponding request. Figure 2 describes an exemplary flowchart of a user preference information service method in a location information system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. With respect to Figure 2, the user can manipulate a menu (e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI)) that is provided by the terminal to activate the preference information service. In this state, the user can specify the user preference information for their preferred regions and the corresponding preference zones (S 10). Preferably, the preference information indicates the operations of the terminal or indicates a representative location that represents the user's actual location. Here, one or more regions (locations) (ie, registered or designated) can be specified as a single user preference zone. Therefore, since the user can specify different regions as a preference zone, different types of preference information can be specified according to the particular locations (or zones). The preference information for a particular region designated by the user can be stored in the storage medium 10 through the interface (S11), the preference zone (eg, cell identification, etc., for the corresponding location) and , if the preference information service is or is not specified (active or inactive state), it is sent to the location server 11 and can be stored in the subscriber profile function unit. Here, the storage operation can be performed by means of a response from the storage medium of the user profile 10 upon the occurrence of a request from the terminal 13, as well as by means of a response from the terminal 13 upon the occurrence of a request from the location server. 11. Subsequently, the subscriber profile function unit verifies whether or not the preference information service is specified or, if a request for tracking the user's location exists, a request is made for the user's location to a functional unit of functions. location calculation, which is an entity for calculating the location information (physical location) within the location server 11 (S12), as well as verifying whether the user's current location is within a particular preference zone (S13) . As a result of the verification, if the current location of the user is within a particular registered preference zone, the subscriber profile function unit reports this fact to the remote server 12 but, if the user's current location is not within of a particular preference zone, then the procedure returns to step S12. Accordingly, the remote server 12 activates the preference information (e.g., particular terminal operations, functions, location reporting method, etc.) that was specified by the user for a particular preference zone (S14). Here, since the user's preference information is stored in the storage medium 10, the remote server 12 requests the storage medium 10 to send the preference information, to allow the corresponding preference information to be activated in the terminal of the storage device. user. In particular, if the preference information indicates a representative location representing the user's actual location, the subscriber profile function unit compares the actual location of the user received from the location calculation function unit with the stored preference information. in the storage medium 10, as well as report the representative location specified in the user preferences information. In this way, when the terminal moves to (enter into) a particular region, the unit of location calculation functions performs the procedures for measuring the location with terminal 13 and provides the user's current location to the unit. Subscriber profile functions, whereby a signaling procedure is required between the location server and the terminal. Therefore, the present invention provides a method of signaling a location information system based on a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) technique. Here, it should be understood that many other types of signaling procedures, in addition to SUPL, could also be used to implement the present invention. In particular, SUPL is merely an example of how to implement the features of the present invention which, therefore, should not be limited to the SUPL signaling procedures described hereinafter. SUPL is an effective method for sending location information (i.e., a physical location of the user) required to calculate the location of a mobile terminal, where the location support information is sent (such as GPS assistance) and used a user plane data carrier for transporting the protocols related to the positioning technology between the mobile terminal and the network. In a location information system based on SUPL, the SUPL network related to the location service generally comprises an SUPL Agent, an SUPL Location Platform (SLP) and an Enabled SUPL Terminal ( SET, for its acronym in English). The SUPL agent refers to a logical service access point that uses the really measured location information (physical location), while SLP refers to an SUPL service access point of a network portion that has access to network resources to obtain location information (physical location) (ie, SLP can be considered as a type of application server located in a higher layer of the network itself). SET is an element that can communicate with the SUPL network using a SUPL interface and can include a UMTS user terminal (user equipment (UE)), a Mobile Station (MS). in English) of GMS, an IS-95 MS, a laptop, a PDA or another similar one that has the functions of SET in that site. Alternatively, different types of mobile terminals that can access a WLAN can be used. SET supports the defined procedures of SUPL when interworking with the network through the user plane carrier. Accordingly, the terminal 13 and the wireless network can be implemented in the form of an SUPL network, whereby SLP corresponds to the location server, while SET corresponds to the terminal. In the present invention, the SET location is provided to the user when there is a location tracking request (i.e., an Immediate Location Standard Service) or when a particular time period or a particular event occurs (i.e., a Service). Location Report Reported). The particular event can include different events, such as when a user using SET enters or leaves a particular region, or when the user is initially in a state where a location or event estimate is not possible (eg, when communication is not possible in an underground location such as the metro) but later, when it becomes possible to estimate the location, the corresponding event is then informed. In addition, the present invention reports by means of a clear indication when the positioning procedures of SUPL (measurement of the location of SUPL) begin. To do so, the terminal uses an SUPL report to inform the SUPL network that the SUPL positioning procedures have begun. Here, instead of the SUPL report, an SUPL start message can also be used by SLP, to report the start of the SUPL positioning procedures. Hereinafter, the positioning will also be referred to as location measurement. First, the procedures for measuring location in the SUPL network will be explained. In general, the SUPL location service can be divided into a network initiated service and a service initiated by SET. Figure 3 depicts a message flow diagram of a location reporting service initiated by SET in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Here, SLP refers to the side of the wireless network, while SET refers to the side of the terminal, at the same time that an SUPL agent can exist both in the network and in the terminal, or it can exist as a separate entity .

With respect to Figure 3, the SUPL agent of SET starts the positioning and SLP session and, to initiate the location measurement procedures, a start message is transmitted from SUPL to SLP (S20). The SUPL start message includes different parameters, such as a session identification, SET capabilities, a local identifier (lid, in English), report criteria, and so on. SET capabilities include location measurement methods that are supported (eg, MS-A-GPS and MS-based A-GPS, cell identification method), as well as their associated location measurement protocols (eg, RRLP). , RRC, IS-801). In addition, SET can additionally provide an NMR for the wireless technique (e.g., GSM: TA, RXLEV) that is being employed. The reporting criteria are the criteria used to report a particular user or event location, as well as the periodic measurement of locations, the starting point, period and end point of the location tracking. In addition, the criteria can be specified to be such that situations are reported in which a user enters a certain region, exits a certain region or exists within a certain region. In this case, the name of a particular location, the latitude and longitude information of the particular region, etc., can be included as the reporting criteria. In addition, an event related to a periodic event and a particular region can be combined with each other. For example, the reporting criteria may include a representative location (eg, a location that connects a local area network with the internet, a pseudo-location, an abstract location, a symbolic location, a conceptual location, a theoretical location, etc.) that reflects the user's preferences information. The representative location is a type of user preference information that reflects (considers) the user's actual location and represents a designated (specified) location in accordance with the scales of the preference zones that are designated (specified) by the user. Therefore, when the user is located within a region (preferences zone) that is specified as 'home', and when the request for tracking the user's location is made, SET does not report the value of the real location of the user. user (for example, the x, y, z coordinates), but instead reports a value that represents the 'home' specification made by the user (for example, a zip code, neighborhood name, region name, etc.). When a SUPL start message arrives from SET, SLP verifies the protocol that includes the SUPL start message and determines which location measurement protocol should be used. Then, when location tracking is requested, SET transmits a SUPL REPORT message that instructs the initiation of location measurement procedures from SUPL to SLP (S21). Here, the SUPL REPORT message includes a session ID, an event trigger and the like. In addition, the SUPL start message and the SUPL REPORT message can be combined together. In particular, when a particular event occurs, a SUPL start message may be sent to inform that the particular event has occurred and that the procedures related to SUPL may begin. If the SUPL START and SUPL REPORT messages are separated, the procedures related to SUPL initially begin with the SUPL start message and subsequently, when a particular event occurs, the SUPL REPORT message is sent. Accordingly, SLP performs the SUPL location measurement procedures wherein the SUPLs location measurement messages (eg, SUPL POS messages) are sent again and again in accordance with the SUPL REPORT message (S22) . In this case, based on the location measurements received from SET, SLP calculates the estimated location (assisted method of MS) or SET calculates the estimated location based on the assistance obtained from SLP (MS-based method). If SLP calculates the estimated location based on the location measurements received from SET (Assisted Method of MS), this requires to be informed to SET and a separate SUPL REPORT message can be used to send the calculated value in the corresponding message. In addition, at the end of the SUPL POS POS procedure, if SLP calculates the location tracking based on the location measurement received from SET, the SUPL POS message may be transmitted from SLP to SET once more. When the location calculation is completed, SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request message to PCE and requests the SET preference information that is subject to location tracking (S23), while PCE transmits the message of location privacy confirmation response (which includes SET preference information) to SLP (S24). Accordingly, SLP verifies whether the calculated user location is within a particular preference zone and, if the user is currently within a particular registered preference zone, the calculated user location is reported to SET. In the present invention, the user's actual location is not reported, but the preference information representing the corresponding preference zone (in particular, a representative location) is reported to SET. This representative location is included in an END OF SUPL message indicating that the location session has been completed, indicating the end of the location measurement procedure (S25). Figure 4 describes a message flow diagram of a location reporting service initiated by SET in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, which shows an example of continuous exchange of SUPL POS messages between SLP and SET. As shown in Figure 4, the SUPL agent in SET starts a positioning session with SLP, in order to initiate the location measurement procedures, a SUPL start message is transmitted to SLP (S30) and SLP performs the SUPL location measurement procedures by sending and receiving SUPL POS messages with SET (S31). As an example, in the mode of operation initiated by SET, in particular, for the way in which SET calculates the location estimate based on the assistance of SLP, SET and SLP exchange SUPL POS messages to provide the data of necessary support and the location of the terminal is calculated by SET. In addition, in the SET-assisted operation mode, in particular, for the mode in which SLP calculates the location estimate based on the measurement value of the location received from SET, SET and SLP exchange SUPL POS messages POS and the location of the terminal is calculated by SLP. In particular, in the SET-assisted mode, SLP can perform optional (or additional) procedures to report the estimated location estimation value to SET through the SUPL REPORT (S32) and, for this, SET performs, before POS of SUPL, the optional procedures to transmit a start message from SUPL to SLP, if necessary. The previous step (S32) may be performed once per interval if required and, in particular, may be repeated in steps S35 and S38, while step S33 may be repeated in step S36. With respect to Figure 4, it should be noted that the privacy confirmation procedures can be performed before the completion of SUPL reports. In particular, SLP cooperates with PCE, whereby SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request to PCE, which then sends a location privacy confirmation response to SLP. By doing so, user authentication and privacy can be better guaranteed. Figure 5 describes a message flow diagram of a location reporting service initiated by SET in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The characteristics of Figure 5 are basically the same as those of Figure 4 but, instead of using a SUPL REPORT message separately, the estimation of the value of the location within the SUPL END Message is reported to SET and additional (optional) procedures can be performed. In Figure 5, the estimate value of the calculated location is not reported to SET in the SUPL END message, but the estimate value of the calculated location is included at the end of the SUPL POS procedure and SUPL END can used merely for the purpose of ending SUPL procedures. The network initiated location reporting service of the present invention can be divided into a triggered location reporting service and an Immediate Location Standard Service. The triggered location reporting service is a service that provides the location information (physical location) of SET at intervals of a certain time or when a particular event occurs, while the standard location reporting service is a service used when an answer to a location request is immediately requested.

With respect to Figure 5, it should be noted that the privacy confirmation procedures can be performed before the completion of SUPL reports. In particular, SLP cooperates with PCE, whereby SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request to PCE, which then sends a location privacy confirmation response to SLP. By doing so, user authentication and privacy can be better guaranteed. Figure 6 depicts a message flow diagram of an example of a network initiated triggered location reporting service in accordance with the present invention. With respect to Figure 6, the SUPL agent establishes location (event) reporting criteria through a Triggered Location Reporting Request (TLRR) of Mobile Location Protocol (MLP). in English). Here, the MLR TLRR message may include an MS identification (ms-id), a Customer Identification of Location Service Client (LSC), an event (TLRR event) to be fired (a criterion that has been specified), and so on. The location reporting criteria may include a particular SET operation (UE not available), a certain time interval, a change of area, etc. and, when one of the above criteria occurs, the location report will be made. SLP authorizes the agent of SUPL based on the identification of the client received and performs a verification of user privacy in relation to the identification of the client based on the identification of MS (ms-id, in English). When the SUPL agent authorization is completed, SLP transmits a SUPL START message (which may be a message that forwards the content site (WAP PUSH, in English) or SMS trigger) to SET (S41), to begin a location session with SET. The SUPL START message may include at least a session ID, an SLP address, a location measurement method (POS method), report criteria triggered, and so on. As a result of the privacy verification, if notification or SET confirmation is required, SLP includes a notification element within the SUPL START message. Upon receiving the SUPL START message, SET guesses (assumes) the appropriate notification rules (procedures), the SUPL start message is sent to SLP and the SUPL POS session starts with SLP (S42). The SUPL start message may include at least a session identification, SET capabilities, a location identification (lid, in English), and so on. As in the case of the location request initiated by SET of Figure 3, the location measurement protocol related to the assisted location measurement method (eg, A-GPS assisted by MS and A-GPS based on MS, cell identification method) is included in the capabilities of SET. In addition, the NMR for the use of the wireless technique (e.g., GSM: TA, RXLEV) by SET may be provided optionally or additionally.

When the SUPL start message arrives from SET, SLP verifies the SUPL start message and determines which location measurement protocol (RRLP, RRC, IS-801) should be used. When the protocol to be used is determined, SLP transmits to the SUPL agent a MLP Dismissed Location Report Response (TLRA), which indicates that a location measurement session is in progress for the requested triggered location report (S43). Subsequently, if a requested event occurs, SET transmits a SUPL REPORT message to SLP indicating the start of the SUPL location measurement procedures (S44) and SLP begins the SUPL location measurement procedures in accordance with the SUPL REPORT message (S45). In this case, SLP and SET can continuously exchange SUPL POS messages multiple times. In the previous SUPL location measurement step (S45), SLP calculates the estimation value of the location based on the values of the location measurement received from SET (assisted method of MS), but the location measurement can be performed by SET based on the assistance obtained from SLP ( Method based on MS). Here, an SUPL start message can be used instead of the SUPL REPORT message. If SET calculates the value of the location estimate based on the assistance obtained from SLP (MS-based method), SET must report the calculated value to SLP and this can be done at the end of the SUPL location measurement procedure, or A separate SUPL REPORT message may well be used. This will be explained in more detail in the other modality that follows. When the location calculation is completed, SLP transmits an END OF SUPL message to inform SET that the location measurement procedures have been completed and the location session has been performed (S46), then requests the PCE for the information of SET preferences and check if the user's calculated location is within a particular preference zone. If the user's calculated location is within a particular registered area of preferences, SLP transmits to the SUPL agent, not the user's actual location, but a preference information (in particular, a representative location) that represents the reference area corresponding, using a Trip Location Report (TLREP, for its acronym in English) of MLP (S47). With respect to Figure 6, it should be noted that the privacy confirmation procedures can be performed before the completion of SUPL reports. In particular, SLP cooperates with PCE, whereby SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request to PCE, which then sends a location privacy confirmation response to SLP. By doing so, user authentication and privacy can be better guaranteed. Figure 7 depicts a message flow diagram of a triggered location reporting service initiated by a network in accordance with another mode, whereby SLP and SET continuously exchange location measurement procedure messages multiple times. In this embodiment, unlike FIG. 6, SET informs SLP of the fact that a particular event occurred and an SUPL start message is used to initiate a location measurement procedure. In particular, in Figure 7, if SET calculates a location estimation value based on the assistance obtained from SLP (MS-based method), SET must inform SLP of the calculated value and the additional (optional) step of reporting the Estimation value of the calculated location to SET using a SUPL REPORT message is different from Figure 6. With respect to Figure 7, it should be noted that the privacy confirmation procedures can be performed before the completion of SUPL reports . In particular, SLP cooperates with PCE, whereby SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request to PCE, which then sends a location privacy confirmation response to SLP. By doing so, user authentication and privacy can be better guaranteed. Figure 8 describes an example of a message flow diagram of a standard location reporting service initiated by a network. As shown in Figure 8, the SUPL agent requests location information (physical location) through an Immediate Request for Standard Location (SLIR) of MLP (S50). The SLIR message from MLP may include an MS identification (ms-id), customer identification, a QoS, and so on. SLP transmits an SUPL START message to SET after performing the authorization of the SUPL agent and the subscriber's privacy check (S51), in order to initiate a location session with SET. The SUPL INITIATION message includes at least one session ID and one SLP address and, as a result of the privacy verification, if a notification or confirmation of SET is required, a notification is also included in that site. Upon receiving the SUPL INPUT message from SLP, SET establishes a data connection with SLP in accordance with the address obtained from the SUPL START message and, subsequently, performs a SUPL POS session through SUPL POS START. (S52). By means of the SUPL POS session, SLP determines the location measurement protocol (RRLP, RRC, IS-801) to be used from SET and then begins the location measurement procedures of SUPL with SET (S53). Subsequently, when the location calculation has been completed, SLP transmits an END OF SUPL message and informs SET that the location session has been completed upon completion of the location measurement procedures (S54). In addition, SLP requests the SET Preferences Information from PCE, then checks if the calculated user location is within a particular preference zone and, if the calculated user location is within a particular registered preference zone, SLP transmits to the SUPL agent through an Immediate Response of Standard Location (SLIR) of MLP, not the real location of the user, but the preference information (in particular, a representative location) that represents an area of corresponding preferences (S55). With respect to Figure 8, it should be noted that privacy confirmation procedures can be performed before the completion of SUPL reports. In particular, SLP cooperates with PCE, whereby SLP sends a location privacy confirmation request to PCE, which then sends a location privacy confirmation response to SLP. By doing so, better authentication and user privacy can be guaranteed. In the present invention, the user preference information does not need to be stored in a network element (eg, PCE), but stored in the terminal itself, to allow the activation of the preferences information functions in accordance with the user's location . The present invention performs preference information in accordance with the following two types of situations. In a first method, when the corresponding terminal application is the entity that performs the method, the user establishes the user preferences information in the terminal application, the corresponding application receives the current location of the terminal from a location enabler within from the terminal and performs the established preferences information (representative location report) corresponding to the current location.

In a second method, when a terminal location enabler is the entity that performs the method, the location enabler sends the location (physical) information of the terminal to the corresponding terminal application and the corresponding application performs the information of the terminal. user preferences in accordance with the location of the terminal. In both of the two previous methods, the location information (physical location) can be reported in certain time intervals (periodically) or when a particular event is triggered, or it may be reported immediately in accordance with a request for the actual location information (physical location). The two above methods are divided merely depending on which embodiment, but the characteristics of the realization of the user preference information in a different manner according to the location are the same. Therefore, when the above modalities are applied, the corresponding functions can be performed by the cooperation of the location enabler and the application within the terminal, without having to store the user preference information in a network element, such as a storage medium. Figure 9 depicts a flowchart of the user preference information service of a location information system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The user manipulates a menu in the terminal to select the preference information service and, subsequently, sets his desired preference information (eg, particular terminal operations and location reporting method) for each of the preference zones (S60 ). In this way, the user can establish multiple regions (physical locations) as preference zones. Accordingly, when the preference information is stored in the terminal application, the information of the preference zone (eg, a cell identification of the corresponding region) designated by the user is also stored in the location enabler. inside the terminal (S61). Therefore, when the function of the preference information service is activated, the location enabler requests the location of the location server user periodically or when a designated event occurs, or requests the location server to report that an event The corresponding one occurs when the user enters (or abandons) a previously designated zone of preferences (S62). Subsequently, when the user is located within one of the previously designated preference zones, the preference information designated for that preference zone is made in the location enabler or the terminal application (S63, S64). In particular, if the terminal application is the realization entity, the terminal application requests the current location of the location enabler terminal to thereby generate preference information (eg, representative location) in accordance with the current location of the terminal. In contrast, if the location enabler is the realization entity, the location enabler sends the location information (physical location) to the corresponding terminal application and the corresponding application generates a representative location corresponding to the current location of the terminal. As described above, the present invention has the effect of better satisfying different user needs (eg, being able to use and control certain functions of its terminal in accordance with the user's physical location) by allowing the user to specify different preferences of user related to the methods of reporting the user's location, related to the operation methods of the terminal and related to the information displayed in the terminal in accordance with the user's location. further, for the measurement of the location between the terminal and the location server, the present invention (in certain non-limiting modes) provides in the SUPL network a scheme for sending messages between each element of SUPL, by means of which, in particular, SET sends a SUPL REPORT message to SLP that clearly indicates the start of the SUPL location measurement, to allow the network to effectively perform SUPL location measurements. The features of the present invention can be considered as related to the reporting of a 'representative' location based on the user's profiles. This corresponds to the ability of a location enabler to provide users with a mechanism to return to a representative location (e.g., an abstract location), based on the specifications of the user's profile and the user's current physical location. For example, a user can specify a 'home' profile that describes the location (border) scale of their home. When a request is made for its location, a comparison is made between the previously specified user profile and the user's actual physical location. If the current real location matches the profile previously specified for the 'home', then the user's specified location is returned (a representative location indicating a postal code, city, etc.). However, it should be noted that emergency services and legal purposes may override any user preference specification. For example, even if the user had specified their user profile so that outgoing calls could not be made when the user traveled outside their city of residence (or another location specified by the user), they could still afford emergency calls (for example, calls to the police or fire department) by canceling the user's profile specifications. The present invention can also be described in the following manner with respect to five procedures. First, the user selects a functionality to view and edit their profile specification. Second, the user specifies their profile for reporting a (pseudo) representative location, for example, by defining a 'home' location scale.

Third, the application of the mobile location service (MLS) requests the location of the user with a specific quality of service (QoS), for example, using an external MLS application that requests a user location when specifying the location with a specific level of accuracy. Fourth, the user is positioned (that is, their position is located) using known positioning mechanisms. Fifth, if the user's physical location overlaps with a scale previously specified, then the representative location is returned to the MLS application making the request. Here, for legal and emergency requests, this fifth step can be overlooked and only the true physical location is returned. In addition, it should also be noted that, if no representative location is provided by the user, then a predetermined location (previously defined) may be employed. Preferably, since Mobile Location Services are time sensitive, all MLS events and transactions should be marked in relation to time and should use the most recent updated data available. In addition, Mobile Location Services can provide a wide variety of data presentation formats, such as advanced geographic services that include, but are not limited to, routing and navigation services, provision of maps, search and information on points of interest (POls, for its acronym in English), geocoding and reverse geocoding services (such as the translation of x-coordinates and street names, POls, etc.), as well as search services. Additionally, the security and integrity of the data must be maintained, so that the supply of data content is reliable and reliable, as well as protected against unauthorized interception or modification. Additionally, Mobile Location Services must provide an independent, uninterrupted access service while traveling along IP-based wireless networks, contingent on the reliability of underlying transports and mutual agreements, as well as supporting infrastructure. of the participating service providers. In the above description, the teachings and suggestions related to the use of 'representative' locations (eg, a location that connects a local area network with the internet, a pseudo-location, an abstract location, a symbolic location, etc.), specify different user preferences for different locations and to provide the user with different terminal operations in accordance with their physical location, and the interface techniques required for this are preferably directed to one or more service coverage areas administered by a single service provider. However, the teachings and suggestions herein may also apply to multiple areas of service coverage that are administered, respectively, by different service providers.

Additionally, the person skilled in the art would clearly understand that the specific teachings of the present invention and the reasonable suggestions derived therefrom, are related to the different issues or technical improvements described and agreed upon by the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA, for its acronym in Spanish). English), which addresses market needs by specializing in the development of different mobile service applications that allow interoperability with other mobile (or wireless) networks, as well as the development of enablers that are independent entities with respect to a mobile network (or wireless). As such, part of the terminology used here must still be specifically agreed upon and certain concepts are named with different names according to the different companies and organizations. For example, with respect to the techniques to report the user's location (use of a 'representative' location, instead of the user's actual location), the case triggered (as it is called OMA) is called 'default case' by 3GPP, while that the immediate case (as it is called OMA) is called 'standard case1 by 3GPP. However, the person skilled in the art would clearly understand the concepts and characteristics provided herein, despite their different terms and expressions, which could even be changed in the future. The above description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these modalities will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other modalities. Therefore, it is not intended that the present invention be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but that it should have the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features described herein. 9. - The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the steps are performed using a user plane data carrier service. 10. The method according to claim 9, further characterized in that the steps are performed for a network of Location of Secure User's Plan (SUPL), which includes an Agent of SUPL, a SUPL Location Platform (SLP) and an Enabled SUPL Terminal (SET). 11. A user preference service method, comprising: activating at least one user preference specified by the user or at least one user terminal operation specified by the user, based on a user's physical location , upon receiving the user preferences to be stored in a subscriber profile function unit, as well as activating the at least one user preference or the at least one user terminal operation, if a user terminal enters in or is located within a particular physical region, or by comparing a value of the user's actual physical location that is provided from a unit of location calculation functions with the user preferences stored on a storage medium, if there is a request for tracking a user, as well as activating the at least one user preference or the at least one user terminal operation in accordance with On the comparison.

Claims (6)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. - A user preferences service method, comprising: specifying, by a user, a user profile to report a representative location; obtain location information that indicates a user's physical location; and report the representative location if the location information obtained overlaps with the representative location; and activating at least one user preference specified by the user or at least one user terminal operation specified by the user, based on the user's physical location.
2. 2. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: storing user preferences within a location server that has a subscriber profile function unit in that site; and activating the at least one user preference or the at least one user terminal operation, if a user terminal is entered and located within a particular physical region.
3. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: comparing a value of the real physical location of the user that is provided from a unit of location calculation functions with user preferences stored in a storage medium , if there is a request to trace a user; and activating the at least one user preference or the at least one user terminal operation in accordance with the comparison.
4. 4. The method according to claim 3, further characterized in that the tracking request comprises: receiving a request for user location information upon occurrence of a designated event or periodic reception.
5. 5. The method according to claim 4, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user enters or leaves a previously defined physical area or location.
6. 6. The method according to claim 4, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user is initially in a state where it is not possible to estimate the location, but later the estimation of the location becomes possible 7. The method according to claim 1, further characterized in that the user profile includes user preferences information containing the representative location to be reported. 8. The method according to claim 7, further characterized in that the representative location represents one or more zones of user preferences, each user preferences zone being a physical region designated by the user. 12. - The method according to claim 11, further characterized in that, if a tracking request exists, the steps of: receiving a request for location information indicating a physical location of the user's terminal are performed prior to activation.; obtain the location information of the user's terminal; comparing the location information obtained with the stored user preference information that contains at least one representative location to be reported; and reporting a particular representative location, if the location information obtained overlaps with a scale of the particular representative location based on the comparison. 13. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the obtaining step involves having access to a network entity where the user preferences information is stored. 14. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the obtaining step involves negotiation with the user's terminal to calculate the location information of the user's terminal. 15. The method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the representative location represents one or more zones of user preferences, each zone of user preferences being a physical region designated by the user. 16. - The method according to claim 11, further characterized in that the tracking request comprises: receiving a request for user location information upon occurrence of a designated event or periodic reception. 17. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user enters or leaves a previously defined physical area or location. 18. The method according to claim 16, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user is initially in a state where a location estimate is not possible, but subsequently a location estimate becomes possible. 19. A user preferences service method, comprising: allowing a user to establish a user profile that includes user preferences information containing a representative location to be reported; calculating a location information indicating a user's physical location where the location information is calculated by the location server, if an agent server requests the location information of a user; compare the physical location with the user preferences information; and report the representative location information of the user to the agent server. 20. - The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that the report is made if the location information overlaps with a scale of the representative location. 21. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that the report includes activating the user preferences information. 22. The method according to claim 19, further characterized in that the profile of the user is stored in a network entity. 23. The method according to claim 22, further characterized in that the calculation step involves retrieving the user profile information stored in the network entity. 24. A user preferences service method, comprising: storing preference information in an application of a user terminal; store a region of preference in a location enabler of the user's terminal; request a user location from a location server; and, if the user's location overlaps the region of preference, activate the preference information associated with the preference region. 25. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that the preference information contains a representative location to be reported. 26. - The method according to claim 25, further characterized in that the representative location represents one or more zones of user preferences, each user preferences zone being a physical region designated by the user. 27. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that the request is made upon the occurrence of a designated event or is periodically performed. 28. The method according to claim 27, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user enters or leaves a previously defined physical area or location. 29. The method according to claim 27, further characterized in that the designated event is when the user is initially in a state in which location estimation is not possible, but subsequently the location estimate becomes possible. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that the steps are used to allow a user to have access to different user terminal functions that are activated in accordance with the user's physical location. 31. The method according to claim 24, further characterized in that the steps are performed using a user plane data carrier service. 32.- In a location information system based on a Safe User Plane Location (SUPL), a user preference service method that comprises: transmitting, by an Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET), a message Start of SUPL to a SUPL Location Platform (SLP); determine, by SLP, a SET location when sending and receiving SUPL position messages with SET; request information about user preferences from a Privacy Verification Entity (PCE); and, upon receiving the user preference information, report to SET, using an END OF SUPL message, a user preference information that has been specified for a preferred region in which SET is currently located. 33.- The method according to claim 32, further characterized in that the start message of SUPL is transmitted periodically or when a particular event is triggered, or when SET requests the transmission. 34.- The method according to claim 32, further characterized in that the user preferences information is requested through a location privacy confirmation request message. The method according to claim 32, further characterized in that the user preference information is received through a location privacy confirmation request message. 36. The method according to claim 32, further characterized in that the start message comprises parameters indicating a session identification, SET capabilities, a location identifier and a report base. 37. The method according to claim 36, further characterized in that the SET capabilities comprise location measurement methods that are supported and their related location measurement protocols. 38.- The method according to claim 36, further characterized in that the location measurement method that uses SUPL position messages is repeated multiple times. 39.- The method according to claim 36, further characterized in that, if the start message of SUPL merely indicates a start of the procedures related to SUPL, SET further transmits to SLP a SUPL report message indicating the occurrence of a particular event. 40.- In a location information system based on a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), a user preference service method that comprises: establishing, by an SUPL agent, at least one location reporting condition on an SUPL Location Platform (SLP); perform a location session by transmitting an SUPL start message from SLP to an Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET), if the at least one location report condition is satisfied; initiate a location measurement by transmitting a SUPL start message from SET to SLP; measure a SET location by SLP when sending and receiving SUPL position messages with SET; report that the location measurement procedures have been completed by transmitting an END OF SUPL message from SLP to SET, when the location of SET has been calculated; request information on user preferences of a Privacy Verification Entity (PCE) from SLP; and, upon receiving the user preference information, reporting to the SUPL agent, a user preference information that has been specified for a preferred region in which SET is currently located. 41. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that the location report condition is established through a MLP Dismissed Location Report Request (TLRR) message. 42. The method according to claim 41, further characterized in that the MLR TLRR message comprises a SET identification, a location service client identification and an event to be triggered, while the location report condition it comprises at least one particular SET operation, a certain time interval and an area change. 43.- The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that the SUPL start message is transmitted periodically or when a particular event is triggered. 44. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that the user preferences information is requested through a location privacy confirmation request message. 45. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that the user preference information is received through a location privacy confirmation request message. 46.- The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that the SUPL start message comprises parameters indicating a session identification, an SLP address, a compression method, SET capabilities, a notification and a base of report. 47. The method according to claim 46, further characterized in that the SUPL start message comprises a session identification, SET capabilities and a location identifier. 48. The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that, if the SUPL start message merely indicates a start of procedures related to SUPL, SET further transmits to SLP a SUPL report message indicating the occurrence of a particular event. 49.- The method according to claim 40, further characterized in that SLP reports the user preferences information through a Location Report Request message Dismissed (TLRR) of MLP. 50. - In a location information system based on a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL), a user preference service method comprising: requesting, by an SUPL agent, a location report of a Enabled Terminal of SUPL (SET) of a SUPL Location Platform (SLP); perform a location session by transmitting a SUPL start message from SLP to SET; start a location measurement by transmitting a SUPL position start message from SET to SLP; measure a SET location by SLP when sending and receiving SUPL position messages with SET; report that the location measurement procedures have been completed by transmitting an END OF SUPL message from SLP to SET, when the location of SET has been calculated; request information on user preferences of a Privacy Verification Entity (PCE) from SLP; and, upon receiving the user preference information, report to the SUPL agent, a user preference information that has been specified for a region of preferences where SET is currently located. 51. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that the location report condition is established through a MLP Dismissed Location Report Request (TLRR) message. 52. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that the SUPL start message comprises parameters indicating a session identification, an SLP address and a notification. 53. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that the information of user preferences is requested through a message requesting confirmation of privacy of location and is received through a response message of confirmation of privacy of location. 54. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that the SUPL position message comprises parameters indicating a session identification, an SLP address, a location identifier and SET capabilities. 55. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that SLP reports the user preferences information through an Immediate Response of Standard Location (SLIA) message of MLP. 56. The method according to claim 50, further characterized in that SLP reports a real SET location for an emergency service. 57.- A mobile communications system comprising: a user terminal adapted to allow a user to specify a user profile that includes user preferences information containing a representative location to be reported; and a location server adapted to receive a request for location information indicating a user's physical location, as well as to report the representative location, if the location information overlaps with the representative location. 58.- The system according to claim 57, further characterized in that the user preference information is stored in a network entity or in the user's terminal. 59.- The system according to claim 57, further characterized in that the location server is adapted to obtain the location information of the user, as well as to compare the location information obtained with the user preferences information specified, previously to the report of the representative location. 60.- The system according to claim 57, further characterized in that the user terminal is adapted to obtain the user's location information, as well as to compare the location information obtained with the user's preference information specified, previously to the report of the representative location by the location server. 61.- A location server comprising: a unit of location calculation functions adapted to receive a request for location information indicating a physical location of the user's terminal, as well as to obtain the location information of the terminal of the user. user; and a subscriber profile function unit adapted to store user preference information, to compare the location information obtained with the stored user preferences information containing at least one representative location to be reported, as well as to report a particular representative location, if the location information obtained overlaps with the particular representative location, based on the comparison made by the location calculation function. 62.- A user terminal comprising: a terminal application adapted to allow a user to specify a user profile that includes user preferences information containing a representative location to be reported; and a location enabler adapted to optionally calculate a location information indicating a physical location of the user's terminal, as well as for optionally negotiating with a location server to perform the calculation, as well as comparing the information of the location. location with the user preferences information. 63.- The user terminal according to claim 62, further characterized in that the terminal application or the location enabler activates the user preference information related to a representative location that is reported, if the location information overlaps with the representative location.