`JohansSOn et al.
`
`USOO6442391B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,442,391 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`(54) LOCATION SECURITY FOR A SUBSCRIBER
`UNIT IN A TELECOMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM BY DENYING A PARTIES'
`LOCATION REQUEST
`(75) Inventors: Jörgen Johansson; Magnus Lundin,
`both of Karlskrona (SE)
`(73) Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
`(publ), Stockholm (SE)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/075,185
`(22) Filed:
`May 11, 1998
`(30)
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`May 16, 1997
`(SE) .............................................. 97O1845
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................ H04B 7/005
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................ 455/456; 455/433
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 455/410, 411,
`455/26.1, 456, 457, 433; 701/213, 201,
`207, 208
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,614.914 A * 3/1997 Bolgiano .................... 342/364
`5,625,668 A
`4/1997 Loomis ....................... 379/58
`
`5,857,153 A * 1/1999 Lupien ....................... 455/422
`5,905,958 A * 5/1999 Houde ........................ 455/437
`5,963.866 A * 10/1999 Palamara .................... 455/456
`5,983,103 A * 11/1999 Sakaguchi .................. 455/435
`6,131,067 A * 10/2000 Girerd ........................ 701/213
`6,199,045 B1 * 3/2001 Giniger ......................... 705/1
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner Daniel Hunter
`ASSistant Examiner Nick Corsaro
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Burns, Doane, Swecker &
`Mathis, L.L.P.
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The present invention relates to determining the geographic
`location of a mobile Station in a mobile communications
`System. The object of the invention is to protect the integrity
`of the user of the mobile Station, So as to prevent the location
`of the mobile Station being established by an outsider against
`the will of the user. In this respect, an authorization check is
`carried out in conjunction with a request for determination
`of the geographical location of a mobile Station. The geo
`graphical location is only determined when authorization is
`found for the mobile station to be located. This authorization
`control involves checking that the user of the mobile Station
`has granted permission for the location of his mobile Station
`MS to be determined on the part of an outsider. The authority
`check may also include the condition that only certain
`outsiders may be informed of the geographical location of
`the mobile station.
`
`7 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`E1
`
`The user A1 of a mobile station MS contacts the
`service provider A2 and requests a service.
`concerning the location of the mobile station
`
`The service provider A2 contacts the mobile locating
`node MPC and asks to be told of the location of the
`mobile station
`
`
`
`Is the
`service provider A2
`registered?
`
`
`
`
`
`The node MPC
`asks the user: Is it permitted to
`determine the location of your
`vehicle?
`
`E.
`Transmission of this permission to the
`mobile locating node
`
`The mobile locating node determines the
`location of the mobile station and informs
`the service provider A2
`
`r
`
`|
`
`The node MPC informs the service
`A2 that it is not permitted to determine
`the location of the mobile station and the
`reason why
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`
`
`Fig 3
`
`HLR
`
`P req
`1 MSISDN
`SRI
`SCA
`Fig 9
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`B1
`
`B2
`
`No
`
`A second party A2 asks the mobile locating
`node MPC to locate the mobile station MS
`
`The node MPC sends a command to the
`mobile communications system: Determine
`the location of the mobile station MS
`
`
`
`
`
`B3
`
`
`
`Mobile communication
`System checks: Does the indicator show tha
`gcating of the mobile station
`is permitted?
`
`B4
`
`
`
`Yes
`Compilation of information relating
`to the location of the mobile
`
`The node MPC establishes the
`location of MS and duly
`informs the second party A2
`
`Sending to the node MPC
`a message to the effect that
`locating of MS is not allowed
`
`
`
`The node MPC informs the
`second party A2 that the
`location of MS is a secret
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`B1
`
`A second party A2 asks the node MPC to find the
`location of the mobile station MS
`
`C2
`
`
`
`
`
`S the second
`party A2 registered?
`
`No
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is it allowed
`o divulge the location of the
`mobile station to the second
`party A2?
`
`Yes
`
`emergency2
`
`Does the indicato
`show that determination of the
`S location is allow
`
`C6
`
`Transmission of a command: Determine
`the location of the mobile station MS
`
`
`
`
`
`Compilation of information relating to the
`location of MS and transmission of this
`information to the locating node MPC
`
`
`
`C
`
`C8
`
`The mobile locating node MPC establishes the
`location of the mobile station and informs the
`second party A2 of this location
`Fig 5
`
`
`
`The mobile locating node informs the
`second party that the vehicle location
`cannot be determined and the reason wh
`
`
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 6 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`E1
`
`The user A1 of a mobile station MS contacts the
`service provider A2 and requests a service
`concerning the location of the mobile station
`
`E2
`The service provider A2 contacts the mobile locating
`node MPC and asks to be told of the location of the
`mobile station
`
`Is the
`service provider A2
`registered?
`
`E3
`
`No
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`The node MPC
`asks the user: Is it permitted to
`determine the location of your
`vehicle?
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`E5
`
`Transmission of this permission to the
`mobile locating node
`
`E6
`
`The mobile locating node determines the
`location of the mobile station and informs
`the service provider A2
`
`E7
`
`
`
`The node MPC informs the service provider
`A2 that it is not permitted to determine
`the location of the mobile station and the
`reason wh
`
`Fig 6
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`E1
`
`he user A1 of the mobile station MS contact
`he service provider A2 and requests a service
`oncerning the location of the mobile station
`
`E2
`The service provider A2 contacts the mobile locating
`node MPC and asks to be told of the location of the
`mobile station
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is the
`service provider A2
`registered?
`
`
`
`E3
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sending a code
`to the user A1 and asking
`permission to determine the
`location of his MSP
`
`Sending the code from the user A1 to the
`service provider A2
`
`Sending the code from the service provider
`A2 to the mobile locating node MPC
`
`
`
`
`
`Does the code
`received agree with the code
`transmitted?
`
`
`
`Yes
`The locating node determines the location of
`the MS and informs the service provider A2
`
`F8
`
`F9
`
`he locating node MPC informs the service
`provider A2 that the location of the MS has
`not been determined and the reason why
`
`Fig 7
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 27, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`E1
`
`The user A1 of a mobile station MS contacts
`the service provider A2 and requests a service
`concerning the location of the mobile station
`
`E2
`The service provider A2 contacts the mobile locating
`node MPC and asks to be told of the location of the
`mobile station
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Is the
`service provider A2
`registered?
`
`E3
`
`No
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Has a connection
`been set up between the mobile
`station and the service provider?
`
`Does the indicator
`show that locating the mobile station
`is permitted?
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`G6
`
`The locating node MPC sends a command to
`the mobile communications system: Locate the
`mobile station MS
`
`Location data is sent to the locating node MPC;
`he location of the nobile station is determined
`and the service provider A2 informed
`
`
`
`The locating node MPC informs the service
`provider A2 that the location of the mobile
`station has not been determined and the
`reason wh
`
`
`
`Fig 8
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`1
`LOCATION SECURITY FOR A SUBSCRIBER
`UNIT IN A TELECOMMUNICATION
`SYSTEM BY DENYING A PARTIES'
`LOCATION REQUEST
`
`This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. SS119
`and/or 365 to SE 970 1845-1 filed in Sweden on May 16,
`1997; the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by
`reference.
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`The present invention relates to a telecommunications
`System especially one that includes a mobile communica
`tions System and a mobile locating means with which the
`geographical location of a terminal in the mobile commu
`nications System can be determined.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The manner in which the geographical location of a
`mobile Station in a mobile communications System can be
`determined is described in a large number of patent Speci
`fications.
`Some patent specifications, for instance SE 9500569-0,
`Europolitan, describes a procedure with which the location
`of a mobile station is determined by the American GPS
`System. This requires the mobile Station to be also equipped
`with a GPS terminal. A GPS terminal can determine its
`geographical location, by receiving Signals from at least
`three Satellites. An inquiry from a third party concerning the
`location of the mobile station can be sent over the mobile
`communications System and handled by the mobile Station
`without involving its user. The location of the mobile station
`is then Sent back over the network to the perSon requesting
`the information.
`In the majority of these Solutions, the measurements
`necessary for establishing the location of the mobile Station
`are carried out by the mobile communications System
`instead. For instance, Patent Specification SE 9603561-3,
`Bodinl, describes how the wave propagation time of a signal
`from the mobile Station is measured in a base Station. The
`wave propagation time is corresponded by a distance. The
`measuring process is repeated at two more base Stations. The
`location of the mobile station can then be established on the
`basis of the measuring results and on the knowledge of the
`geographical locations of the base Stations. According to this
`prior patent Specification, the calculation is made in a mobile
`locating node belonging to the mobile communications
`System.
`Alternatively, the wave propagation time of a signal Sent
`from a base Station may be measured in the mobile Station.
`This method is described in Patent Specification U.S. Pat.
`No. 5,293,645, Sood, among others. After having measured
`the wave propagation from at least three base Stations, the
`mobile station reports the result to the land based part of the
`mobile communications network.
`It is also mentioned in SE 95.00569-0 that the geographi
`cal location of a mobile Station can be determined through
`the identity of the cell within which the mobile station is
`located. It is the mobile communications System that is able
`to obtain the cell identity information. This method can only
`provide a rough indication of the location of the mobile
`Station, Since the indicated cell may well have a radius in the
`order of tens of kilometres.
`Patent Specification SE 9700522-7, Bodin2, describes
`how a mobile locating command can be sent from a mobile
`
`25
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`65
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`US 6,442,391 B1
`
`2
`locating node outside the mobile communications System to
`the mobile Switching center that manages the mobile Station.
`The Switching center is assumed to control the base Station
`System to carry out measurements that will determine the
`location of the mobile station with the aid of Some earlier
`known measuring method. The mobile locating node pro
`vides a mobile locating Service, in which it receives orders
`from a customer concerning the location of a certain mobile
`Station, orders the Switching center to carry out a measuring
`procedure, receives the measuring result, and calculates the
`location of the mobile and then presents the result to the
`customer. A modified short message service (SMS) is used
`to Send the command to the Switching center and to Send the
`measuring result from the Switching center to the mobile
`locating node.
`None of the aforementioned patent specifications draws
`attention to the encroachment of the integrity of a user of a
`mobile station when an outsider is able to establish the
`geographical location of the user.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention addresses the problem of an out
`sider being able to establish the geographical location of a
`mobile Station with the aid of a mobile locating Service.
`Determination of the geographical location of a mobile
`constitutes a problem when it takes place against the wishes
`of the mobile user.
`Another problem addressed by the invention is when the
`user of the mobile station may wish an outsider to be
`informed of his location on certain occasions while keeping
`the possibility of preventing an outsider from being
`informed of his location on other occasions.
`Another problem is one when the user may wish for a
`person of his choice to be informed of his location while
`denying this possibility to other perSons.
`Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to
`protect the integrity of a mobile user, Such as to prevent
`outsiders from determining the location of the mobile with
`the aid of a mobile locating Service. Another object is to
`provide a flexible integrity protection Service which enables
`the geographical location of the mobile to be determined
`when the user So desires or when it is in the user's interest
`for the location of the mobile to be determined.
`The aforesaid problems are solved in accordance with the
`present invention, by providing the mobile communications
`System with an indicator. The indicator is Set either to
`indicate that the user permits the location of the mobile to be
`determined, i.e. a permission granted State, or to a State in
`which the user does not permit the location of the mobile to
`be determined, i.e. permission not granted State. Before
`determining the location of a mobile, a check is made to
`ascertain whether or not the indicator is in its permission
`granted State. If not, the location determining proceSS is
`discontinued. The user of the mobile is able to set the
`indicator to the State desired. In one embodiment the
`subscriber, i.e. the owner of the subscription which may be
`different than the current user, has the possibility to prevent
`someone who is using the subscriber's mobile station MS
`from changing the indicator.
`According to one alternative embodiment, the user of the
`mobile receives a request for permission to determine the
`location of his mobile. This embodiment can be suitably
`used when the user himself has requested from a Service
`provider a Service that is dependent on the geographical
`location of the user. The Service provider contacts a mobile
`locating node and asks to be told of the location of the
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`3
`mobile Station. The mobile locating node asks the user for
`permission to determine the location of the mobile. The user
`gives his permission directly to the mobile locating node.
`Alternatively, the user gives his permission to the mobile
`locating node via the service provider. This is effected by
`Sending to the Service provider a code that the user has
`received together with the permission request, wherewith
`the Service provider Sends the code to the mobile locating
`node. The location of the mobile is determined when the
`code received agrees with the code Sent together with the
`request.
`In addition to checking the permission indicator, a check
`can also be made to ascertain whether or not the perSon
`requesting determination of the location of the mobile is
`registered and that authorization for this person to establish
`the location of the Sought mobile is also registered, said
`checks being carried out before determining the location of
`the mobile. In this case, registration of this information is a
`condition for allowing the location of the mobile to be
`determined. This information is Stored in a register con
`nected to or integrated with the mobile locating node.
`The invention provides the advantage of enabling the user
`of a mobile Station to prevent the geographical location of
`the mobile being established and divulged. The invention
`can be applied in a number of different forms that are Suited
`for different situations. For instance, this enables a haulage
`contractor to establish the locations of its own mobile
`Stations regularly and in a simple manner, while, at the same
`time, preventing others from establishing the locations of
`Said mobiles. It also enables a private user to prevent the
`location of his mobile Station being determined while, at the
`Same time, enabling the user to establish his own location on
`certain occasions when needed by the user. The various
`embodiments of the invention thus enable the integrity of the
`user to be protected in a flexible manner.
`The invention also has the advantage of being adapted for
`the administrative Structure in the mobile communications
`System. It is essential to adapt to the existing structure, So as
`not to increase the complexity of the mobile communica
`tions system. The introduction of the indicator in the mobile
`communications System enables the user to Set the indicator
`to the State desired directly and involves a only minor
`modification of the mobile communications System.
`The invention will now be described in more detail with
`reference to preferred exemplifying embodiments thereof
`and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile communications system in
`which a mobile locating node is connected.
`FIG. 2 is a block Schematic illustrating a mobile commu
`nications System in which a short message is transmitted.
`FIG. 3 illustrates a modified home location register.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a State checking proce
`dure in conjunction with a mobile locating process.
`FIG. 5 is a flowchart that illustrates an alternative proce
`dure in which authorization checks are carried out in con
`junction with a mobile locating process in addition to an
`indicator check.
`FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an inventive method of
`checking mobile locating permission, Suitable for use in
`conjunction with the user requesting a location-dependent
`Service from a Service provider.
`FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative method of
`checking for permission to locate a mobile in the same
`
`4
`Situation as that intended with respect to the method illus
`trated in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating another alternative
`method of checking whether or not permission to determine
`the location of a mobile has been given, in the same situation
`as that intended for the method illustrated in FIG. 6.
`FIG. 9 illustrates the format of a request for routing
`information, sent by the GMSC to the home location reg
`ister.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`The present invention enables the user of a mobile station
`to prevent an outsider from learning of the user's geographi
`cal location with the aid of a mobile locating Service.
`FIG. 1 illustrates one Such mobile communications Sys
`tem. GSM. It is managed by an Operator. The mobile
`communications system GSM includes a number of mobile
`stations MS, MS1-MS3. A user A1 of the mobile station MS
`moves freely and is able to communicate via the mobile
`communications system GSM provided that the user is
`located within the service area of the GSM system. The
`Service area is divided into a number of cells CL1-CL3.
`Located in each cell CL1-CL3 is a respective radio base
`station BTS1-BTS3 that can maintain connection with the
`mobile stations MS, MS1-MS3 within the cell. A number of
`radio base stations BTS1-BTS3 communicate with a base
`station controller BSC, The base station controller BSC
`communicates, in turn, with a mobile Services Switching
`center MSC. The mobile communications system GSM
`includes at least one GMSC (Gateway Mobile Switching
`Center) P which communicates with the remaining mobile
`Switching centers MSC of the mobile communications sys
`tem. The GMSC P also communicates with a home location
`register HLR. Each mobile station MS, MS1-MS3, with an
`subscription to the mobile communications system GSM is
`registered in the home location register HLR. Also visiting
`mobile Stations with Subscriptions in other mobile commu
`nications Systems are temporarily registered in the home
`location register HLR. The home location register HLR
`contains data as to the whereabouts of the mobile Stations
`MS, MS1-MS3 as well as visiting mobile stations. In
`addition to the home location register HLR, the mobile
`communications system GSM includes a further subscriber
`location register, i.e. a visitor location register VLR, con
`taining data relating to the mobile station MS. The visitor
`location register VLR is connected to the mobile Services
`Switching center MSC.
`The mobile communications system GSM is designated
`as the land based part of the mobile communications
`network, with the exception of the mobile station MS and
`the radio connection thereto.
`The system shown in FIG. 1 includes a mobile locating
`node MPC connected to the GMSC P. The mobile locating
`node MPC provides a mobile locating service, which means
`that the node MPC will establish the location of a mobile
`station MS, MS1-MS3 in response to a request from a
`Second party A2 in this respect and inform this Second party
`of the geographical position of the mobile Station. To this
`end, there is found a connection between the Second party
`A2 and the mobile locating node MPC, via which the mobile
`locating node receives the location-finding request M1 and
`informs the second party of the location of the mobile station
`in a response M2.
`FIG. 2 is a block schematic illustrating an inventive
`arrangement. In addition to those nodes also shown in FIG.
`
`US 6,442,391 B1
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`Page 11 of 16
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`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
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`US 6,442,391 B1
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`15
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`
`S
`1, the arrangement includes an indicator I provided in the
`home location register HLR. The user A1 is able to set the
`indicator I to indicate either one of two States, i.e. a
`permission granted State or a permission not-granted State.
`The user A1 Sets the indicator to the desired State, by Stating
`a code CD via the mobile station. The code CD is sent from
`the mobile Station as though it were a B-number, i.e. the
`number of a B-Subscriber dialled for a call connection.
`When the code CD has been transferred to the GMSC P, the
`GMSCP identifies the code CD as a message to the home
`location register HLR and not as a standard B-number. The
`GMSC therefore sends the code CD to the home location
`register HLR. The home location register HLR then sets the
`indicator to indicate the desired integrity level.
`The code CD may be either one of two character combi
`nations denoting either that determining of the location of
`the mobile is allowed or not allowed. These two character
`combinations may be *99# and *98#. The transfer of this
`code to and its registration in HLR are effected analogously
`with how the call forwarding service is utilized from the
`mobile station MS.
`FIG. 2 illustrates with the aid of an arrow the transfer of
`a mobile locating command K1 from the location node MPC
`to the mobile services switching center MSC via the GMSC
`P. The command K1 is described more explicitly further on
`25
`in the text.
`FIG.3 shows a home location register HLR that has been
`modified by the inclusion of the indicator I. Data concerning
`the mobile station MS are stored in a number of different
`information fields in the home location register HLR. The
`information fields are found with the aid of the mobile
`Station identity DA, among other things. A further informa
`tion field for storing the indicator I is included on the home
`location register, as shown in FIG. 3.
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one embodiment of the
`inventive method, where a Second party A2 desires infor
`mation concerning the location of the mobile station MS. In
`a first Step B1, the Second party A2 Sends a request M1 to the
`mobile locating node MPC asking to be informed of the
`whereabouts of the mobile station MS.
`The mobile locating node MPC then sends a command K1
`to the mobile Switching center MSC that serves the mobile
`station MS at that moment in time. The purport of the
`command K1 is for the Switching center MSC to collect
`locational data relating to the mobile station MS and send it
`to the mobile locating node MPC, in accordance B2 in FIG.
`4. The command K1 is sent in the form of a modified SMS
`message addressed to the mobile Station MS, as described in
`SE 9700.522-7.
`The command K1 reaches the mobile communications
`system via the GMSC P, which identifies the command K1
`as being a location-finding command. The GMSC Pasks the
`home location register HLR for routing information, So as to
`be able to forward the command K1. The GMSC Pindicates
`in the request that the routing information is intended for a
`mobile locating command K1. Upon receipt of the request,
`the home location register HLR reads the register HLR
`indicator I and provides the requested routing information,
`provided that the indicator indicates that it is allowed to
`divulge the geographical location of the mobile. This is
`corresponded by a step B3 in FIG. 4, i.e. the step in which
`the mobile locating State of the indicator is checked. If
`mobile locating is allowed, i.e. Yes to the question in Step B3
`of FIG. 4, the command K1 is forwarded to the GMSC P to
`the mobile Switching center MSC.
`The Switching center begins to collect locational data
`relating to the mobile station MS, upon receipt of the
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`command K1. The collected locational data is then Sent to
`the mobile locating node MPC, in accordance with step B4.
`The mobile locating node MPC then establishes the
`location of the mobile station MS with the aid of the
`locational data received, and presents the result to the Second
`party A2 in a message M2, in accordance with Step B5.
`Should the answer to the question in step B3 be No,
`locating of the mobile is not allowed, as is the case when the
`indicator I in the home location register HLR indicates that
`location-finding is not allowed, no mobile locating proce
`dure is carried out. Instead a message is Sent to the mobile
`locating node MPC to the effect that permission to divulge
`the location of the mobile station MS is not given, in
`accordance with Step B6. Instead of Sending routing
`information, the home location register HLR sends a mes
`sage to the GMSC P to the effect that the information
`requested cannot be given, because divulgence of the loca
`tion of the mobile station MS is not permitted. GMSC P
`sends to the mobile location node MPC a message to the
`effect that the location of the mobile station MS has not been
`determined because permission is lacking.
`The mobile locating node MPC then sends a message to
`the second party A2 to the effect that the location of the
`mobile Station MS cannot be divulged, because permission
`is lacking in this respect, in accordance with Step B7.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the
`method for checking whether or not establishment of the
`location of the mobile station MS is permitted. The proce
`dure followed in accordance with this method is similar to
`the procedure followed according to FIG. 4, but with the
`difference that authorization checks are carried out on the
`Second party A2.
`The procedure followed in accordance with FIG. 5 is
`commenced with a step B1, Similar to the procedure
`described in FIG. 4, in which the second party A2 sends a
`message M1 requesting the geographical location of the
`mobile station MS.
`A check is then run to ascertain whether or not the Second
`party A2 is known to the mobile locating node MPC, in
`accordance with a following Step C2. One reason for this
`check is to be able to bill the second party for the mobile
`locating Service. If the Second party A2 is known, i.e. the
`answer to the query in Step C2 is Yes, Step C3 is carried out.
`In Step C3, a check is run to ascertain whether or not the
`second party A2 is entitled to be informed of the location of
`the mobile station MS. In order to be entitled to check the
`mobile station MS, this entitlement must have earlier been
`registered in the mobile locating node MPC. If the check
`shows that the second party is entitled to be informed of the
`geographical position of the mobile, i.e. the answer to the
`question in Step 3 is yes, Step C4 is carried out.
`In Step C4, a check is run to ascertain whether the mobile
`locating request has been made in an emergency situation.
`An emergency situation can be reported, for instance, by the
`Second party Saying as Such in conjunction with the mobile
`locating request, and by the Second party indicating that it
`has an alarm center Status. In the event of an emergency, i.e.
`the answer to the question in Step C4 is Yes, Step C6 is
`carried out.
`On the other hand, if the answer to the question in step C4
`is No, i.e. there is no emergency, a check is run to ascertain
`whether the indicator 1 shows that the user A1 permits the
`location of his mobile station MS to be determined in
`accordance with step C5. This check is carried out by the
`mobile locating node MPC Sending a query as to whether or
`not it is allowed to locate the mobile station MS. This
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`Page 12 of 16
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`RUIZ FOODS PRODUCTS, INC.
`Exhibit 1023
`
`
`
`7
`permission query is received by the GMSCP and forwarded
`to the home location register HLR. The home location
`register HLR deals with the query and the GMSCPsends the
`answer to the mobile locating node MPC. If the answer is
`Yes, locating the mobile station MS is allowed, step C6 is
`carried out. According to Step C6, a command K1 to locate
`the position of the mobile station MS is sent from the mobile
`locating node MPC to the mobile Switching center MSC.
`The indicator I is not checked when the command K1 is
`transmitted in the case of this embodiment.
`The Switching center MSC collects mobile station MS
`locational data. The obtained mobile station MS locational
`data is then sent to the mobile locating node MPC, in
`accordance with step C7.
`The mobile station MS location data may optionally be
`further processed in the mobile locating node MPC, where
`after the location of the mobile station MS is established and
`presented to the Second party A2 in a message M2, in
`accordance with step C8 in FIG. 5.
`If, as distinct to what has been assumed in the aforegoing,
`the Second party A2 is not registered in the mobile locating
`node MPC or it is found that the second party is not entitled
`to information revealing the location of the mobile Station
`MS concerned, or if the indicator I shows that divulgence of
`the location of the mobile station MS is not allowed, in other
`words the answer to any of the questions asked in Step C2,
`C3 or C5 is No, the location of the mobile station MS is not
`determined and the mobile locating node informs the Second
`party to this effect and gives the reasons why, in accordance
`with C9.
`The procedure described in FIG. 5 includes two further
`authorization checks, in addition to checking whether or not
`the second party A2 is known (step C2). The first of these
`authority checks is made in accordance with Step C3, in
`order to ascertain whether or not the Second party A2 is
`entitled to be told of the location of precisely the mobile
`Station to which the request is directed. For instance, a firm
`of haulage contractor has the right to know the locations of
`its own mobile Stations, but does not have the right to know
`the geographical location of a mobile Station belonging to a
`competitor. When the Second party is an alarm center, i.e.
`has