USOO6002936A
`
`[191
`United States Patent
`6,002,936
`[11] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Dec. 14, 1999
`Roel-Ng et al.
`
`
`
`[54]
`
`[75]
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFORMING
`NETWORK OF TERMINAL-BASED
`POSITIONING METHOD CAPABILITIES
`
`Inventors: Maya Roel-Ng, Plano; Stephen Hayes,
`Carrollton; Theodore Havinis, Plano,
`all of TeX.
`
`[73] Assignee: Ericsson Inc., Research Triangle Park,
`NC.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 09/037,071
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 9, 1998
`
`Int. Cl.6 ....................................................... H04Q 7/20
`[51]
`[52] US. Cl.
`.............................................................. 455/456
`[58] Field of Search ..................................... 455/456, 404,
`455/435, 412, 413, 414, 433, 436, 553
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,504,939
`5,519,760
`5,568,153
`5,600,706
`5,724,660
`
`....................... 455/450
`4/1996 Mayrand et al.
`5/1996 Borkowski et a1.
`455/404
`
`10/1996 Beliveau ..........
`455/433
`2/1997 Dunn et a1.
`455/456
`3/1998 Kauser et al.
`.......................... 455/456
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0 800 319 A1
`
`.
`10/1997 European Pat. Off.
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`PCT International Search Report dated Jun. 11, 1999.
`
`Primary Examiner—William G. Trost
`Assistant Examiner—Raymond B. Pcrsino
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jenkens & Gilchrist, RC.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A telecommunications system and method is disclosed for
`allowing a cellular network to determine the optimum
`positioning method, having knowledge of all available
`network-based and terminal-based positioning methods.
`This can be accomplished by the Mobile Station (MS)
`sending to the Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location
`Register (MSC/VLR) a list of terminal-based positioning
`methods that the MS is capable of performing. This list can,
`in turn, be forwarded to the Mobile Positioning Ccntcr
`(MPC)
`for determination of the optimum positioning
`method. For example, in a GSM network, the MS CLASS-
`MARK information, which is sent to the MSC/VLR when
`the MS registers with the MSC/VLR, can be extended to
`include the MS’s positioning capabilities.
`
`18 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Terminal—based positioning capabilities
`sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`Positioning capabilities sent
`
`to MPC
`
`Positioning request sent
`
`to MPC
`
`400
`
`410
`
`420
`
`
`
`
`
`Network—
`-ased positioning
`method
`
`
`
`chosen
`
`_
`
`Y
`
`425
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to BSC
`
`BSC obtains
`positioning data
`
`Positioning data sent
`to MPC
`
`MS location
`determined
`
`430
`
`435
`
`450
`
`455
`
`460
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`440
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to BSC
`
`445
`
`BSC sends positioning
`request
`to MS
`
`MS collects
`positioning data
`
`
`MS has
`
`calculation
`9
`ability
`Y
`
`480
`
`MS determines
`its location
`
`485
`
`470
`
`475
`
`49°
`MS sends positioning
`data to MPC
`
`MS location determined
`
`495
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 1
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 1 0f 5
`
`6,002,936
`
`338AREA25
`
`u 9>O
`
`:
`LLJ
`U")
`0:
`5'\
`I)
`2
`
`Q(
`
`
`
`
`
`PLMNSERVICEAREA10
`
`
`
`LOCATIONAREA18
`
`FIG.1
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 2
`
`N <L
`
`L!
`0:
`
`<L
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 2 0f5
`
`6,002,936
`
`270
`
`280
`
`POSITION
`
`APPLICATION
`
`
`
`BTS
`
`\
`
`21o
`
`
`
` TARGET
`
`/
`
`//
`
`4/
`//V
`
`200
`
`205
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 3
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 3 0f5
`
`6,002,936
`
`
`
`
`Classmar<
`
`340
`
`FIG.3
`
`205
`
`
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 4
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 4 0f 5
`
`6,002,936
`
`Terminal—based positioning capabilities
`sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`Positioning capabilities sent
`
`to MPG
`
`Positioning request sent
`
`to MPG
`
`400
`
`410
`
`420
`
`
`
`Network—
`
`
`
`based positioning
`
`method
`
`
`chosen
`
`
`Y
`
`425
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to MSC/VLR
`
`430
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to BSC
`
`Positioning request and
`method sent
`to BSC
`
`BSC obtains
`
`positioning data
`
`Positioning data sent
`to MPG
`
`MS location
`determined
`
`435
`
`450
`
`455
`
`460
`
`BSC sends positioning
`request
`to MS
`
`MS collects
`positioning data
`
`N
`
`
`MS has
`
`calculation
`ability
`
`480
`?
`
`Y
`
`440
`
`445
`
`470
`
`475
`
`490
`MS sends positioning
`data to MP0
`
`'ts '°°°t'°”
`
`MS location determined
`
`485
`
`495
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 5
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Dec. 14, 1999
`
`Sheet 5 0f5
`
`6,002,936
`
`500
`
`510
`
`520
`
`530
`
`540
`
`550
`
`550
`
`570
`
`575
`
`580
`
`585
`
`590
`
`595
`
`598
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 6
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 6
`
`

`

`6,002,936
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INFORMING
`NETWORK OF TERMINAL-BASED
`POSITIONING METHOD CAPABILITIES
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT
`INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates generally to telecommuni—
`cations systems and methods for determining the location of
`a mobile terminal within a cellular network, and specifically
`to determining the optimum positioning method based upon
`available network positioning methods and positioning
`capabilities of the mobile terminal itself.
`2. Background and Objects of the Present Invention
`Cellular telecommunications is one of the fastest growing
`and most demanding telecommunications applications ever.
`Today it represents a large and continuously increasing
`percentage of all new telephone subscriptions around the
`world. A standardization group, European Telecommunica—
`tions Standards Institute (ETSI), was established in 1982 to
`formulate the specifications for the Global System for
`Mobile Communication (GSM) digital mobile cellular radio
`system.
`With reference now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is
`illustrated a GSM Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN),
`such as cellular network 10, which in turn is composed of a
`plurality of areas 12, each with a Mobile Switching Center
`(MSC) 14 and an integrated Visitor Location Register
`(VLR) 16 therein. The MSC/VLR areas 12, in turn, include
`a plurality of Location Areas (LA) 18, which are defined as
`that part of a given MSC/VLR area 12 in which a mobile
`station (MS) (terminal) 20 may move freely without having
`to send update location information to the MSC/VLR area
`12 that controls the LA 18. Each Location Area 18 is divided
`
`into a number of cells 22. Mobile Station (MS) 20 is the
`physical equipment, e.g., a car phone or other portable
`phone, used by mobile subscribers to communicate with the
`cellular network 10, each other, and users outside the
`subscribed network, both wireline and wireless.
`The MSC 14 is in communication with at least one Base
`Station Controller (BSC) 23, which, in turn, is in contact
`with at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS) 24. The
`BTS is the physical equipment, illustrated for simplicity as
`a radio tower, that provides radio coverage to the cell 22 for
`which it is responsible. It should be understood that the BSC
`23 may be connected to several basc transccivcr stations 24,
`and may be implemented as a stand-alone node or integrated
`with the MSC 14. In either event, the BSC 23 and BTS 24
`components, as a whole, are generally referred to as a Base
`Station System (BSS) 25.
`With further reference to FIG. 1, the PLMN Service Area
`or cellular network 10 includes a Home Location Register
`(HLR) 26, which is a database maintaining all subscriber
`information, e. g., user profiles, current location information,
`International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) numbers,
`and other administrative information. The HLR 26 may be
`co-located with a given MSC 14, integrated with the MSC
`14, or alternatively can service multiple MSCs 14, the latter
`of which is illustrated in FIG. 1.
`
`The VLR 16 is a database containing information about
`all of the Mobile Stations 20 currently located within the
`MSC/VLR area 12. If a MS 20 roams into a new MSC/VLR
`area 12, the VLR 16 connected to that MSC 14 will request
`data about that Mobile Station 20 from the HLR database 26
`
`(simultaneously informing the HLR 26 about the current
`
`10
`
`15
`
`2
`location of the MS 20). Accordingly, if the user of the MS
`20 then wants to make a call, the local VLR 16 will have the
`requisite identification information without having to rein-
`terrogate the HLR 26. In the aforedescribed manner, the
`VLR and HLR databases 16 and 26, respectively, contain
`various subscriber information associated with a given MS
`20.
`
`Determining the geographical position of a MS 20 within
`a cellular network 10 has recently become important for a
`wide range of applications. For example, positioning ser-
`vices may be used by transport and taxi companies to
`determine the location of their vehicles. In addition, for
`emergency calls, e.g., 911 calls, the exact location of the
`mobile terminal 20 may be extremely important
`to the
`outcome of the emergency situation. Furthermore, position-
`ing services can be used to determine the location of a stolen
`car, for the detection of home zone calls, which are charged
`at a lower rate, for the detection of hot spots for micro cells,
`or for the subscriber to determine, for example, the nearest
`gas station, restaurant, or hospital.
`As can be seen in FIG. 2 of the drawings, upon a network
`positioning request, the Base Station System (BSS) (220 and
`240) serving the MS 200 generates positioning data, which
`is delivered to the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) 260.
`This positioning data is then forwarded to a Mobile Posi-
`tioning Center (MPC) 270 for calculation of the geographi-
`cal location of the MS 200. The location of the MS 200 can
`
`to the application 280 that requested the
`then be sent
`positioning. Alternatively,
`the requesting application 280
`could be located within the MS 200 itself or within the
`
`30
`
`network (MSC/VLR 260).
`In order to accurately determine the location of the MS
`200, positioning data from three or more separate Base
`Transceiver Stations (210, 220, and 230) is required. This
`positioning data for GSM systems can include, for example,
`a Timing Advance (TA) value, which corresponds to the
`amount of time in advance that the MS 200 must send a
`
`message in order for the BTS 220 to receive it in the time
`slot allocated to that MS 200. When a message is sent from
`the MS 200 to the BTS 220, there is a propagation delay,
`which depends upon the distance between the MS 200 and
`the BTS 220. 'l‘Avalues are expressed in bit periods, and can
`range from 0 to 63, with each bit period corresponding to
`approximately 550 meters between the MS 200 and the BTS
`220. It should be understood, however, that any estimate of
`time, distance, or angle for any cellular system can be used,
`instead of thc TAvaluc discussed herein for a network-based
`
`positioning method.
`the
`Once a TA value is determined for one BTS 220,
`distance between the MS 200 and that particular BTS 220 is
`known, but the actual location is not. If, for example, the TA
`value equals one, the MS 200 could be anywhere along a
`radius of 550 meters. Two TA values from two BTSs, for
`example, BTSs 210 and 220, provide two possible points
`that the MS 200 could be located (where the two radiuses
`intersect). However, with three TA values from three BTSs,
`e.g., BTSs 210, 220, and 230, the location of the MS 200 can
`be determined with a certain degree of accuracy. Using a
`triangulation algorithm, with knowledge of the three TA
`values and site location data associated with each BTS (210,
`220, and 230), the position of the mobile station 200 can be
`determined (with certain accuracy) by the Mobile Position-
`ing Center 270.
`Therefore, Timing Advance (TA) values are obtained
`from the original (serving) BTS 220 and two neighboring
`(target) BTSs (210 and 230). In order for each target BTS
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 7
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 7
`
`

`

`6,002,936
`
`3
`(210 and 230) to determine a TA value, a positioning
`handover to each of the BTSs (210 and 230) must occur. A
`positioning handover is similar to an ordinary asynchronous
`handover. The target BTS, e.g., BTS 210, distinguishes the
`Positioning Handover from an ordinary handover by a new
`ACTIVATION TYPE in the CHANNEL ACTIVATION
`message. Unlike an ordinary handover, upon reception of a
`HANDOVER ACCESS message from the MS 200,
`the
`target BTS 210 only calculates the TA value, and does not
`respond to the mobile station 200, that is, no PHYSICAL
`INFORMATION is sent to the MS 200. Thus, the MS 200
`will then return to the previous channel allocated by the
`original BTS 220 after the time period defined by the MS’s
`200 internal counter expires, e.g., 320 milliseconds.
`Alternatively, the MS 200 itself can position itself within
`the cellular network 205. For example, the MS 200 can have
`a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver built into it,
`which is used to determine the location of the MS 200. In
`addition, the MS 200 can collect positioning data based on
`the Observed Time Diiference (OTD) between the time a
`BTS 220 sends out a signal and the time the MS 200 receives
`the signal. This time difference information can be sent to
`the MPC 270 for calculation of the location of the MS 200,
`or the MS 200 itself, with knowledge of the location of the
`BTS 220, can determine it’s location.
`As the market demands higher accuracy, e.g., FCC phase
`II E-911 service, Mobile Stations 200 which can perform
`positioning measurements are expected to flood the market.
`However, in order for a network 205 to be flexible enough
`to select the best positioning method on a case by case
`situation, it is necessary that the network 205 have knowl-
`edge of the positioning capabilities of all involved nodes,
`network-based and MS-based. Therefore, based on all avail-
`able positioning methods, the network (MPC 270) can have
`the ability to select either a network—based positioning
`method or a MS-based positioning method after all input
`factors have been considered. Such input factors include the
`requested quality of service, time of day of request, request—
`ing application, subscription status of the subscriber, as well
`as positioning method capabilities of the serving network
`205 and of the subscriber terminal 200.
`
`It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to enable
`a cellular network to determine the optimum positioning
`method based upon all available network-based and
`terminal-based positioning methods.
`It is a further object of the present invention to inform the
`cellular network, serving the location area that the mobile
`terminal to be positioned is located in, about all available
`terminal—based positioning methods.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to telecommunications
`systems and methods for allowing a cellular network to
`determine the optimum positioning method, having knowl-
`edge of all available network-based and terminal-based
`positioning methods. This can be accomplished by the
`Mobile Station (MS) sending to the Mobile Switching
`Center/Visitor Location Register (MSC/VLR) a list of
`terminal-based positioning methods that the MS is capable
`of performing. This list can, in turn, be forwarded to the
`Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) for determination of the
`optimum positioning method. For example,
`in a GSM
`network, the MS CLASSMARK information, which is sent
`to the MSC/VLR when the MS registers with the MSC/
`VLR, can be extended to include the MS’s positioning
`capabilities. Advantageously, by sending the MS positioning
`
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`
`4
`capabilities to the MSC/VLR, the network can choose the
`optimum available positioning method for the particular
`positioning request, taking into consideration the requested
`quality of service.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The disclosed inventions will be described with reference
`
`to the accompanying drawings, which show important
`sample embodiments of the invention and which are incor-
`porated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional terrestrially-
`based wireless telecommunications system;
`FIG. 2 illustrates a sample positioning handover in which
`positioning data is acquired by a target base transceiver
`station and transmitted to a serving base station controller;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the inclusion of
`terminal-based positioning methods in the CLASSMARK
`information message sent by a mobile terminal
`to the
`network;
`FIG. 4 illustrates steps in a sample determination of an
`optimum positioning method in accordance with preferred
`embodiments of the present invention; and
`FIG. 5 illustrates steps in a sample Timing Advance
`positioning method.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The numerous innovative teachings of the present appli-
`cation will be described with particular reference to the
`presently preferred exemplary embodiments. However,
`it
`should be understood that this class of embodiments pro-
`vides only a few examples of the many advantageous uses
`of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements
`made in the specification of the present application do not
`necessarily delimit any of the various claimed inventions.
`Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive
`features but not to others.
`
`With reference now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, when a
`Requesting Application (RA) 380 sends a positioning
`request for a particular Mobile Station (MS) 300 to a Mobile
`Positioning Center (MPC) 370 serving the Location Area
`(LA) 305 that the MS 300 is currently located in, the RA380
`can also include quality of service information, such as the
`data rate and/or the reliability of the positioning information
`returned by the cellular network (MPC 370) performing the
`positioning.
`In order
`to meet
`these quality of service
`demands, the MPC 370 must choose the optimum position-
`ing method available. Positioning methods can be network-
`based, e.g., Timing Advance (TA) method, Time of Arrival
`(TOA) method, or Angle of Arrival (AOA) method, or
`terminal-based, e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS)
`method, Observed Time Difference (OTD) method, or
`Enhanced OTD method. In order for the MPC 370 to have
`
`knowledge of the terminal-based positioning methods, this
`information must be sent to the MPC 370 prior to receiving
`a positioning request.
`Therefore, the MS 300 positioning capabilities can be sent
`to a serving Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Reg-
`ister (MSC/VLR) 350 when the MS 300 registers with the
`MSC/VLR 350. For example, in GSM systems, the MS 300
`positioning method capabilities can be passed towards the
`MSC/VLR 350 with the existing GSM message BSSMAP
`CLASSMARK UPDATE 310, as is understood in the art.
`Specifically, the “classmark information element 3” 310 can
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 8
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 8
`
`

`

`6,002,936
`
`5
`be extended to include MS 300 positioning capabilities. The
`classmark information message 310 typically describes
`attributes of the MS 300, such as encryption capabilities, RF
`power level supported and short message capability. The MS
`300 positioning methods can be sent towards the network as
`part of controlled early classmark sending, during dedicated
`mode, when the MS 300 wishes to indicate to the MSC/VLR
`350 a change of positioning capabilities, after a BSSMAP
`CLASSMARK REQUEST message from the MSC/VLR
`350,
`in which case the MS 300 can send a classmark
`information 3 message 310, or during a positioning
`handover, in which case, either a CLASSMARK UPDATE
`can be sent to a target Base Station Controller (BSC) (not
`shown) or a HANDOVER REQUEST including the MS 300
`positioning capabilities can be sent to the target BSC.
`The new CLASSMARK information shall indicate to the
`MSC/VLR 350 whether the MS 300 can support terminal-
`based positioning, the type of terminal-based positioning
`methods supported, and whether the MS 300 is capable of
`performing location calculations based upon the positioning
`measurements that it performed itself. It should be noted that
`other related information can also be included in the mes-
`sage to the MSC/VLR 350.
`Once the MSC/VLR 350 receives the terminal-based
`positioning methods, this information can be sent to the
`serving MPC 370 for later use in determining the optimum
`positioning method. However, it should be understood that
`the MPC 370 could be co-located with the MSC/VLR 350,
`and thus the information would not need to be sent to a
`separate node.
`With reference now to FIG. 4 of the drawings, after the
`classmark information 310, including the MS 300 position-
`ing capabilities, has been sent to the MSC/VLR 350 (step
`400) and forwarded to the MPC 370 (step 410), when a
`positioning request comes in to the MPC 370 (step 420), the
`MPC 370 must then determine the optimum positioning
`method based upon the available network-based and
`terminal-based positioning methods and the quality of ser-
`vice requested by the RA 380 (step 425). Once the posi-
`tioning method has been chosen, e.g., either a network-based
`or a terminal-based method (step 425),
`the positioning
`request, along with the positioning method, is sent to the
`serving MSC/VLR 350 (steps 430 and 440). The serving
`MSC/VLR 350 then forwards the positioning request to a
`serving Base Station Controller (BSC) 340 (steps 435 and
`445). If the MS 300 is in idle mode, the serving MSC/VLR
`350 must page the MS 300 and setup a call to the MS 300
`prior to forwarding the positioning request to the BSC 340
`(steps 435 and 445). This call does not activate the ringing
`tone on the MS 300, and therefore, is not noticed by the MS
`300.
`
`If the positioning method is a network-based positioning
`method (step 425), the BSC 340 then obtains positioning
`data from at least a serving Base Transceiver Stations (BTS)
`320 (step 450) (although typically three BTS’s 320 are
`used), and sends this positioning data to the MPC 370 (step
`455) via the MSC/VLR 350 for calculation of the location of
`the MS 300 (step 460). However, if the positioning method
`is a terminal-based positioning method (step 425), the BSC
`340 sends the positioning request to the MS 300 via the
`serving BTS 320 (step 470),
`the MS 300 collects the
`positioning data (step 475), and if the MS 300 has calcula-
`tion abilities (step 480), the MS 300 determines it’s location
`(step 485). However, if the MS 300 does not have the ability
`to calculate it’s location based upon the positioning data
`obtained (step 480), the MS 300 forwards the positioning
`data to the MPC 370 via the BSC 340 and the MSC/VLR
`350 (step 490) for calculation of the MS 300 location (step
`495).
`
`10
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`
`6
`With reference now to FIG. 5 of the drawings, which can
`be described in connection with FIG. 2 of the drawings, if,
`for example, the Timing Advance (TA) positioning method
`is chosen by the MPC 270, after the BSC 240 receives the
`positioning request from the MSC/VLR 260 (step 500), the
`originating BSC 240 then determines which Base Trans-
`ceiver Station (BTS) 220 is currently serving the MS 200
`(step 510), and obtains a Timing Advance (TA) value (TA1),
`or other positioning data, from this serving BTS 220 (step
`520), if possible. Thereafter, TA values are obtained from
`two target BTSs (210 and 230) (step 580) by performing a
`positioning handover (step 530). If the serving BTS 220
`does not support positioning, an additional target BTS (not
`shown) must be selected. It should be noted that other
`positioning methods based on triangulation can be used
`instead of obtaining TA values, as discussed herein.
`In
`addition, positioning of the MS 200 can be performed using
`more than three BTSs (210, 220, and 230).
`The positioning handover to one of the target BTSs 230
`(step 530) is accomplished by the serving BSC 240 sending
`a new ACTIVATION TYPE in a CHANNELACTIVATION
`message to the target BTS 230, which informs the target
`BTS 230 that a positioning handover needs to be performed
`(step 540). The target BTS 230 then acknowledges the
`CHANNEL ACTIVATION message to the serving BSC 240
`(step 550).
`Thereafter, the BSC 240 sends a command to the MS 200
`via the serving BTS 220 (step 560) to transmit a HAN-
`DOVER ACCESS message to the target BTS 230 (step 570).
`During the time that the MS 200 is waiting for a response
`from the target BTS 230, e.g., around 320 milliseconds, the
`target BTS 230 measures the Timing Advance value (access
`delay) (TA3) (step 575), using access bursts sent by the MS
`200, and forwards this positioning data to the serving BSC
`240 (step 580). A positioning handover can then be per-
`formed to the other target BTS 210 in the same manner as
`stated hereinbefore. The TA value measured by the target
`BTS 230 (TA3) is then transmitted by the serving BSC 250
`to the MSC/VLR 260, together with TA values (TA1 and
`TA2) obtained from the serving BTS 220 and other target
`BTSs 210 (step 585).
`Finally, the TA value acquired from the target BTS 230
`(TA3), together with other TA values (TA1 and TA2) are
`forwarded to the serving Mobile Positioning Center (MPC)
`270 from the MSC/VLR 260 (step 590), where the location
`of the MS 200 is determined using the triangulation algo-
`rithm (step 595). The MPC 270 then presents the geographi-
`cal position of the MS 200 to the Requesting Application
`(node) 280 (step 598).
`the
`As will be recognized by those skilled in the art,
`innovative concepts described in the present application can
`be modified and varied over a wide range of applications.
`Accordingly, the scope of patented subject matter should not
`be limited to any of the specific exemplary teachings dis-
`cussed.
`
`For example, it should be noted that the location services
`can be used by applications located-in or connected-to the
`subscriber’s MS, by network applications or by external
`applications.
`In addition, it should be understood that the positioning
`systems and methods disclosed herein can be utilized by any
`cellular network, including, but not limited to, the Global
`System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, the
`Personal Communications System (PCS) network,
`the
`AMPS network and the D-AMPS network.
`
`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 9
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`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 9
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`

`

`6,002,936
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`7
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A telecommunications system for determining an opti—
`mum positioning method for locating a given one of a
`plurality of mobile terminals in within a cellular network,
`said telecommunications system comprising:
`a mobile switching center within said cellular network,
`said given mobile terminal being in wireless commu-
`nication with said mobile switching center, said given
`mobile terminal having terminal-based positioning
`method information associated therewith, said given
`mobile terminal sending a message having said
`terminal-based positioning method information to said
`mobile switching center; and
`a positioning node in communication with said mobile
`switching center, said positioning node having
`network—based positioning method information stored
`therein, said mobile switching center sending said
`terminal-based positioning method information to said
`positioning node, said positioning node determining
`said optimum positioning method based upon said
`network-based positioning method information and
`said terminal-based positioning method information,
`said positioning node using said optimum positioning
`method to locate said given mobile terminal.
`2. The telecommunications system of claim 1, further
`comprising a requesting node in communication with said
`positioning node, said requesting node sending a positioning
`request to said positioning node, said positioning node using
`said optimum positioning method to determine the location
`of said given mobile terminal, said positioning node sending
`the location of said given mobile terminal to said requesting
`node.
`
`3. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein
`said positioning node is a Mobile Positioning Center.
`4. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein
`said positioning node and said mobile switching center are
`co-located.
`5. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein
`said message is a CLASSMARK UPDATE message.
`6. The telecommunications system of claim 5, wherein
`said terminal-based positioning method information is sent
`in a classmark information element 3 within said CLASS-
`MARK UPDATE message.
`7. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein
`said terminal-based positioning method information
`includes a positioning indicator indicating whether said
`given mobile terminal can perform positioning, at least one
`terminal-based positioning method when said positioning
`indicator is set to yes, and a calculation indicator indicating
`whether said given mobile terminal can perform positioning
`calculations when said positioning indicator is set to yes.
`8. The telecommunications system of claim 7, wherein
`said at least one terminal-based positioning method can be
`selected from the group consisting of: Global Positioning
`Service receiver, Observed Time Difference, and Enhanced
`Observed Time Difference.
`9. The telecommunications system of claim 1, wherein
`said network-based positioning methods are selected from
`the group consisting of: Time of Arrival method, Timing
`Advance method, and Angle of Arrival method.
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`*
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`8
`10. A method for determining an optimum positioning
`method for locating a given one of a plurality of mobile
`terminals in within a cellular network, said method coni-
`prising the steps of:
`sending, by said given mobile terminal, a message having
`tcrminal-bascd positioning mcthod information therein
`to a mobile switching center within said cellular
`network, said mobile switching center being in wireless
`communication with said given mobile terminal;
`storing, within a positioning node in communication with
`said mobile switching center, network-based position-
`ing method information;
`sending, by said mobile switching center, said terminal-
`based positioning method information to said position-
`ing node;
`determining, by said positioning node, said optimum
`positioning method based upon said network-based
`positioning method information and said terminal-
`based positioning method information; and
`determining, by said positioning node, the location of said
`given mobile terminal within said cellular network,
`using said optimum positioning method.
`11. The method of claim 10, further comprising, before
`said step of determining said optimum positioning method,
`the step of:
`sending, by a requesting node in communication with said
`positioning node, a positioning request to said posi-
`tioning node; and after said step of determining the
`location of said given mobile terminal, the step of:
`sending, by said positioning node, the location of said
`given mobile terminal to said requesting node.
`12. The method of claim 10, wherein said positioning
`node is a Mobile Positioning Center.
`13. The method of claim 10, wherein said positioning
`node and said mobile switching center are co—located.
`14. The method of claim 10, wherein said message is a
`CLASSMARK UPDATE message.
`15. The method of claim 14, wherein said terminal—based
`positioning method information is sent in a classmark infor-
`mation element 3 within said CLASSMARK UPDATE
`message.
`16. The method of claim 10, wherein said terminal-based
`positioning method information includes a positioning indi-
`cator indicating whether said given mobile terminal can
`perform positioning, at least one terminal-based positioning
`method when said positioning indicator is set to yes, and a
`calculation indicator indicating whether said given mobile
`terminal can perform positioning calculations when said
`positioning indicator is set to yes.
`17, The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one
`terminal-based positioning method can be selected from the
`group consisting of: Global Positioning Service receiver,
`Observed Time Difference, and Enhanced Observed Time
`Difference.
`18. The method of claim 10, wherein said network-based
`positioning methods are selected from the group consisting
`of: Time of Arrival method, Timing Advance method, and
`Angle of Arrival method.
`*
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`*
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`*
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`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 10
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`Location Labs Exhibit 1107 Page 10
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`