(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`4 October 2001 (04.10.2001) II|||||l|||||l||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII|||||||I||II|I|IIIIIIIII||||I|II|I|||||I||I
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 01/74034 A2
`
`
`(51) International Patent Classification7:
`
`H04M
`
`(21) International Application Number:
`
`PCTIUSO 1/041 28
`
`(22) International Filing Date: 8 February 2001 (08.02.2001)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(30) Priority Data:
`09/536,966
`
`28 March 2000 (28.03.2000)
`
`US
`
`(71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): ERICS—
`SON INC. [US/US]; 7001 Development Drive, Research
`Triangle Park, NC 27709 (US).
`
`(72) Inventors; and
`(75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): DUNKO, Gregory
`[US/US]; 103 Mixedwood Court, Cary, NC 27511 (US).
`LOHR, Jon [US/US]; 5928 Swales Way, Raleigh, NC
`27603 (US). KOLEV, Javor [SE/US]; 111 Murdock
`Creek Court, Apex, NC 27502 (US). JOLLEY, Edward,
`
`V. [US/US]; 5109 Green Oak Drive, Durham, NC 27712
`(US).
`
`(74) Agents: OWEN, John, R. et 211.: Coats & Bennett, PLLC,
`Post Office Box 5, Raleigh, NC 27602 (US).
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ,
`DE, DK, DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR,
`HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR,
`LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, M2,
`NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, 80, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM,
`TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW.
`
`(84) Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
`patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
`patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, IE,
`IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF,
`CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
`
`Published:
`
`7 without international search report and to be republished
`upon receipt ofthat report
`
`[Continued on next page]
`
`
`(54) Title: ON DEMAND LOCATION FUNCTION FOR MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`100
`
`
`
`CREATE 'NEW"
`LOCATION PLACE-
`
`NAME DESCRIPTION
`
`
` 104
`RUN FUNCTION
`TI-IAT ASSOCIATES
`RUN FUNCTION
`
`
`
`THAI-r Wtfifié‘ém‘
`
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`(CREATE LOOK-UP
`ENTRY)
`
`
` CONTACT OTHER
`MEMBERS
`
`SHARE
`
`OF AFFINITY GROUP
`LOOKUP?
`
`AND TRANSFER
`INFORMATION
`
`
`
`STOFIE
`
`ASSOCIATION
`
`FILE CABINET:
`(LOOKUP ENTRY)
`IN OWN
`
`
`KEEP TRACK OF
`
`MOBILE
`WHICH MEMBERS
`
`
`TERMINAL
`OF AFFINITY
`
`GROUP HAVE
`
`BEEN UPDATED
`
`
`I|||I|IIIIIIIIll|I||||||l|||||II||||||||||II|||||||||||||||||IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`
`01/74034A2
`
`(57) Abstract: A wireless communications system supports affinity groups of like minded individuals who wish to know locations
`of other members of the affinity group. The system supports members of the affinity group querying, through a mobile terminal for
`the location of a remote member of the affinity group as sensed by the remote member’s mobile terminal. Rather than report raw
`0 geocoordinates, location place-name descriptions are defined by the members of the affinity group and shared amongst one another.
`a Additionally, situational alarms may be generated in the event certain user defined criteria are met, such as two remote members of
`the affinity group being in close proximity to one another.
`
`LYFT 1036
`
`LYFT 1036
`
`1
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034 A2
`
`||||ll|||||||||l|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||Illllllllllillllillllll
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes andAbbreviations " appearing at the begin—
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
`
`2
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOI/04128
`
`ON DEMAND LOCATION FUNCTION FOR MOBILE TERMINAL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a mobile terminal, such as a cellular
`
`phone, equipped with affinity group messaging, and more particularly to a mobile
`
`terminal equipped with the ability to locate members of the affinity group on
`
`demand.
`
`One reason for the popularity of portable, wireless communication devices,
`
`such as cellular phones, is that they free people from tethers to fixed
`
`communication networks. A user can roam freely in the network, yet remain in
`
`1O
`
`touch with others. Thus, mobile communication devices provide a means by
`
`which people can remain in contact with whomever they want, wherever they
`
`happen to be. This is especially true among groups of individuals who share a
`
`common interest or affiliation (e.g., families, co-workers, those who share a
`
`common avocation or interest, such as tennis or music, and members of a club).
`
`15
`
`Such groups shall be referred to herein as an affinity group.
`
`Several existing technologies facilitate interaction among the members of
`
`an affinity group: Internet “chat rooms,” electronic mail (e-mail), advanced
`
`personal information management (PIM) applications such as Microsoft®
`
`Outlook“, paging services, and advanced messaging services employing contact
`
`20
`
`servers. Some Internet chat software, for example, AOL® Instant MessengerT“,
`
`ICQ, or other similar programs, informs members of an affinity group which other
`
`members of the group are currently logged into the sewer.
`
`All these technologies support, to some degree, the desire of members of
`
`an affinity group to stay in close contact. The Internet chat room approach of
`
`1
`
`3
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`informing the user which affinity group members are on-line is particularly useful.
`
`However, this approach has limitations, the most serious of which is that the user
`
`must be logged onto the Internet and in contact with a particular server to receive
`
`information on the status of the other group members. For example, suppose a
`
`first group member would like to chat with a second group member. The first
`
`group member has no way of knowing whether the second group member is
`
`logged onto the chat server without first logging onto the server supporting the
`
`affinity group. This typically requires connection through a personal computer
`
`over a wire-based phone line. Even in situations where wireless modems are
`
`10
`
`used, the majority of the members of the affinity group are tied to terrestrial phone
`
`lines.
`
`The assignee of the present invention has heretofore developed a system
`
`and method associated with a wireless communication network, described in
`
`application serial number 09/514,657, entitled METHOD FOR FACILITATING
`
`15
`
`ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION, filed 29 February 2000 by Anders Waesterlid,
`
`which is hereby incorporated by reference, that supports wirelessly networked
`
`affinity groups. While that invention provides wireless affinity groups, along with
`
`some location information about the relative whereabouts of members of the
`
`affinity group, that invention still leaves unsatisfied customer demands.
`
`It is also
`
`20
`
`desired that consumers of the affinity group service be able to query for the
`
`location of other members in the affinity group in the event that the member has
`
`not provided a timely update of his or her location. Further, there is a need for
`
`situational alarms that may be generated based on the proximity of other
`
`4
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/US0l/04128
`
`members of the affinity group, the sensed location of a specific member of the
`
`affinity group, or other user defined situations as needed or desired.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The shortcomings of the prior art are addressed by providing a mobile
`
`terminal having software stored in local memory to enable additional functionality
`
`within an affinity group.
`
`In one embodiment, the software is adapted to function
`
`with a location detector, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and
`
`to extract therefrom data relating to the present location of the mobile terminal.
`
`1O
`
`When a first member in the affinity group wishes to know the location of a remote
`
`member of the affinity group, the first member instructs his or her mobile terminal
`
`to inquire as to the present location of the remote member. Through a Short
`
`Message Service or other comparable messaging technology, an inquiry is sent to
`
`the remote member’s mobile terminal.
`
`15
`
`In a first aspect of the invention, members of the affinity group are able to
`
`create location place-name descriptions such that commonly visited places have a
`
`name or common appellation attached thereto. When the location detector
`
`senses that the mobile terminal is within a predefined distance of a location
`
`associated with a location place-name description, the mobile terminal assumes
`
`20
`
`that the member is within the confines of that location. Thus, when an inquiry is
`
`made as to the location of a remote member, the inquiring member may be
`
`informed with the location place-name description rather than a set of raw
`
`geocoordinates such as are returned by a GPS receiver. This facilitates
`
`comprehension by the inquiring member as to the actual location of the remote
`
`5
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`member, whereas longitude and latitude measurements corresponding to the raw
`
`geocoordinates would perhaps not be particularly insightful.
`
`Location place-name descriptions may be shared amongst members of the
`
`affinity group or maintained privately by the original member who created the
`
`location place-name description. Further, if a member of the affinity group is not
`
`within a predefined location having a location place—name description, a last
`
`known location, a vector referencing a known location having a location place-
`
`name description. or other indicia of present location may be provided to the
`
`inquiring member. While not as useful as the location place—name descriptions,
`
`10
`
`these alternative location indicia may help inform the requesting member of the
`
`present location or the destination of the remote member whose location is
`
`sought
`
`In a second aspect of the invention, members of the affinity group may
`
`program the mobile terminal to generate situational alarms. Such situational
`
`15
`
`alarms may enable members of the affinity group to know when other members of
`
`the affinity group have reached a certain location, such as the mall. or when
`
`members of the affinity group are approaching. Once the predefined condition is
`
`met, the inquiring or programming member is alerted through an audible signal, a
`
`mechanical signal such as a vibration, or other appropriate means. Having been
`
`20
`
`alerted to the existence of the predefined condition, the programming member
`
`may then take appropriate action as originally contemplated when the situational
`
`alarm was programmed.
`
`6
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Fig. 1 is schematic diagram of a wireless communications system;
`
`Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal;
`
`Fig. 3 is a flow chart of the methodology for creating and sharing translation
`
`tags for use in the present invention;
`
`Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the methodology behind a first aspect of the
`
`invenfion;and
`
`Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the methodology behind a second aspect of the
`
`10
`
`invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`The present invention preferably implements additional functionality in a
`
`mobile terminal. Specifically, members of affinity groups may now have a device
`
`15
`
`and technique for determining the location of other members of the affinity group.
`
`Likewise, members of the affinity group may be alerted when certain user-defined
`
`events occur. While particularly well suited for cellular phones, other mobile
`
`terminals such as pagers, personal digital assistants, or the like may also be
`
`adapted for use with the present invention. Regardless of the particular device
`
`20
`
`used with the present invention, a review of the elements of a wireless
`
`communications system and a mobile terminal will be helpful. A typical wireless
`
`communication system could be a system that complies with TIA/EIA-136, the
`
`GSM standard, or other well-defined standards. This list is provided as an
`
`example and is not intended to be a limiting example.
`
`5
`
`7
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to Fig. 1, a wireless
`
`communications system 10 is shown in simplified form. Wireless communications
`
`system 10 includes a Mobile Services Switching Center (MSC) 12, a Visitor
`
`Location Register (VLR) 14, a Home Location Register (HLR) 16, a base station
`
`18, and a plurality of mobile terminals 20 wielded by consumers who may or may
`
`not be members of an affinity group.
`
`It should be appreciated that the wireless
`
`communications system 10 may comprise a plurality of cells (only one shown).
`
`Each cell is served by a base station, such as the base station 18 that provides
`
`wireless coverage to the mobile terminals 20 within that particular cell. Base
`
`1O
`
`station 18 is communicatively connected to the M80 12. Typically, the wireless
`
`communications network 10 includes many MSCs 12. At least one MSC 12 is
`
`typically connected via a gateway to the Public Switched Telephone Network
`
`(PSTN, not shown). Some MSCs 12 also serve as gateways connecting the
`
`network 10 with other wireless networks. The function of the MSCs 12 is to route
`
`15
`
`calls and signals in the network 10 to the appropriate destination. For example,
`
`the M80 12 is responsible for connecting calls to the appropriate base station 18
`
`or to the PSTN or other connected network via a gateway.
`
`To perform its call routing function, the M80 12 must know the location of
`the mobile terminals 20 in the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) so that calls
`
`20
`
`can be fonNarded to the appropriate base station 18.
`
`Information concerning the
`
`general whereabouts of each mobile terminal 20 is stored in databases that are
`
`centrally located in the network 10. Each service provider will typically maintain its
`
`own database containing subscriber information which is shared with other
`
`networks in the PLMN. These databases include the HLR 16 and the VLR 14.
`
`8
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOI/04128
`
`HLR 16 is used to store information concerning subscribers to a cellular
`
`network. This information typically includes the user‘s name and address for
`
`billing purposes, the serial number of the user’s mobile terminal 20, and the
`
`services to which the user is entitled to receive.
`
`In addition, the current general
`
`location in the form of a current network ID of the subscriber is stored in the HLR
`
`16 for retrieval by an M80 12 to use in routing calls to the subscriber.
`
`It should be
`
`appreciated that the general location stored in the HLR 16 is limited to
`
`approximate geographic region or cell, and is not specific enough to identify street
`
`addresses or the like. Mobile terminal 20 registers with the servicing M80 12
`
`10
`
`when it is powered on and at periodic intervals so that the servicing M80 12 can
`
`keep track of the location of the mobile terminal 20. The mobile terminal 20 also
`
`registers when it travels between two different service areas (areas served by
`
`different MSCs 12). As part of this registration procedure, the mobile terminal 20
`
`transmits its Mobile Identification Number (MIN) to the MSC 12. M80 12 uses the
`
`15
`
`MIN to determine which HLR 16 to access. When the mobile terminal 20 registers
`
`with MSC 12, the servicing M80 12 updates the HLR 16 with the current location
`
`of the mobile terminal 20. When an M80 12 receives a call addressed to a
`
`subscriber that is not currently in that MSC's service area, the MSC 12 will query
`
`the HLR 16 for the subscriber’s location so that the call can be fonlvarded to the
`
`20
`
`MSC 12 currently servicing the subscriber.
`
`VLR 14 is used to store information about users that are not in their home
`
`service area. When subscribers roam outside of their home service area, the VLR
`
`14 in the area being visited must keep track of the subscriber's location and be
`
`able to verify the Mobile Identification Number (MIN) of the mobile terminal 20.
`
`7
`
`9
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`VLR 14 in the area being visited queries the HLR 16 in the subscriber’s home
`
`service area to authenticate the subscriber and determine the services to which
`
`the subscriber is entitled.
`
`Information concerning the user is stored in the VLR 14
`
`as long as the subscriber remains in the service area. VLR 14 also stores the
`
`current general location of the subscriber. The subscriber’s current location is
`
`also communicated back to the home HLR 16 so that the home network 10 will
`
`know how to forward calls addressed to the subscriber who is currently outside of
`
`the home network 10.
`
`Many wireless communications networks 10 implement a service called
`
`10
`
`short message service (SMS). This service allows mobile users to send and
`
`receive short text messages. Messages originating from, or terminating at, a
`
`mobile terminal 20 in the network 10 are stored in a message center 13 connected
`
`to an M80 12. Message center 13 is a store-and-fowvard device or system that is
`
`used to support teleservices like cellular messaging. The typical interfaces to the
`
`15
`
`message center 13 allow direct dial-in access, computer interface for e-mail
`
`delivery to phones, or human operator input for paging services. Mobile-
`
`originated SMS messages are initially forwarded to the M80 12 servicing the
`
`addressed mobile terminal 20 and routed by the M80 12 to the message service
`
`center 13 where the SMS message is stored. M50 12 searches for the targeted
`
`20
`
`mobile terminal 20 and alerts the mobile terminal 20 that a message is coming.
`
`Targeted mobile terminal 20 tunes to a designated messaging channel (typically
`
`an SDCCH channel) where it waits forthe SMS message. M80 12 then forwards
`
`the SMS message to the mobile terminal 20 on the designated channel and waits
`
`for an acknowledgement from the mobile terminal 20 confirming receipt of the
`
`10
`
`10
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOIIO4128
`
`message.
`
`If an acknowledgement is received from the mobile terminal 20, the
`
`message is removed from storage.
`
`If receipt of the message is not
`
`acknowledged, the M30 12 may attempt to deliver the message again.
`
`It is
`
`disclosed in the previously incorporated application entitled METHOD FOR
`
`5
`
`FACILITATING ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION that the message center 13 or
`
`other server may act in a supporting role for the affinity groups of the present
`
`invention.
`
`Additionally, some networks 10, and especially networks that are adapted
`
`to support the present invention, may include a Mobile Positioning Center (MPG)
`
`10
`
`that serves as the point of interface of the wireless network 10 for the exchange of
`
`geographic position information. An MP0 may control multiple Position
`
`Determining Entities (PDEs). A PDE is the network entity that manages the
`
`position or geographic location determination of the mobile terminal 20. For
`
`further information about such entities, reference is made to Enhanced Wireless
`
`15
`
`9—1-1 Phase 2, TR-45.2, AHES (PM-3890, Rev. 11, 13 Jan 2000). This published
`
`standard is well understood by those in the industry and is incorporated by
`
`reference.
`
`Turning now to Fig. 2, the mobile terminal 20 typically includes a controller
`
`22, an operator interface 26, a transmitter 38, a receiver 50, and an antenna
`
`20
`
`assembly 58. The operator interface 26 typically includes a display 28, keypad
`
`30, interface control 32, microphone 34, and a speaker 36. The display 28 allows
`
`the operator to see dialed digits, call status, and other service information. The
`
`keypad 30 allows the operator to dial numbers, enter commands, and select
`
`options.
`
`Interface control 32 interfaces the display 28 and keypad 30 with the
`
`9
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`controller 22. The microphone 34 receives acoustic signals from the user and
`
`converts the acoustic signals to an analog electrical signal. The speaker 36
`
`converts analog electrical signals from the receiver 50 to acoustic signals which
`
`can be heard by the user.
`
`The analog electrical signal from the microphone 34 is supplied to the
`
`transmitter 38. The transmitter 38 includes an analog to digital converter 40, a
`
`digital signal processor 42, and a phase modulator and RF amplifier 48. The
`
`analog to digital converter 40 changes the analog electrical signal from the
`
`microphone 34 into a digital signal. The digital signal is passed to the digital
`
`1O
`
`signal processor (DSP) 42, which contains a speech coder 44 and channel coder
`
`46. The speech coder 44 compresses the digital signal and the channel coder 46
`
`inserts errordetection, error correction and signaling information. The DSP 42
`
`may include, or may work in conjunction with, a DTMF tone generator (not
`
`shown). The compressed and encoded signal from the digital signal processor 42
`
`15
`
`is passed to the phase modulator and RF amplifier 48, which are shown as a
`
`combined unit in Figure 2. The modulator converts the signal to a form which is
`
`suitable for transmission on an RF carrier. The RF amplifier 48 then boosts the
`
`output of the modulator for transmission via the antenna assembly 58.
`The receiver 50 includes a receiver/amplifier 52, digital signal processor 54,
`
`20
`
`and a digital to analog converter 56. Signals received by the antenna assembly
`
`58 are passed to the receiver/amplifier 52, which shifts the frequency spectrum,
`
`and boosts the low—level RF signal to a level appropriate for input to the digital
`
`signal processor 54.
`
`10
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`The digital signal processor 54 typically includes an equalizer to
`
`compensate for phase and amplitude distortions in the channel corrupted signal, a
`
`demodulator for extracting bit sequences from the received signal, and a detector
`
`for determining transmitted bits based on the extracted sequences. A channel
`
`decoder detects and corrects channel errors in the received signal. The channel
`
`decoder also includes logic for separating control and signaling data from speech
`
`data. Control and signaling data are passed to the controller 22. Speech data is
`
`processed by a speech decoder and passed to the digital to analog converter 56.
`
`The digital signal processor 54, may include, or may work in conjunction with, a
`
`1O
`
`DTMF tone detector (not shown).
`
`The digital to analog converter 56 converts the speech data into an analog signal
`
`which is applied to the speaker 36 to generate acoustic signals which can be
`
`heard by the user.
`
`The antenna assembly 58 is connected to the RF amplifier of the
`
`15
`
`transmitter 38 and to the receiver/amplifier 52 of the receiver 50. The antenna
`
`assembly 58 typically includes a duplexer 60 and an antenna 62. The duplexer 60
`
`permits full duplex communications over the antenna 62.
`
`The controller 22 coordinates the operation of the transmitter 38 and the
`
`receiver 50, and may for instance take the form of a typical microprocessor. This
`
`20
`
`microprocessor may be a dedicated or shared microprocessor and may be a
`
`single processor or multiple parallel processors as needed or desired. This
`
`coordination includes power control, channel selection, timing, as well as a host of
`
`other functions known in the art. The controller 22 inserts signaling messages into
`
`the transmitted signals and extracts signaling messages from the received
`
`11
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/US01/04128
`
`signals. The controller 22 responds to any base station commands contained in
`
`the signaling messages, and implements those commands. When the user enters
`
`commands via the keypad 30, the commands are transferred to the controller 22
`
`for action. Memory 24 stores and supplies information at the direction of the
`
`controller 22 and preferably includes both volatile and non-volatile portions.
`
`in addition to the above described elements, the mobile terminal 20
`
`preferably also includes a location detector 64 in communication with the
`
`controller 22. Location detector 64 may have its own antenna (not shown) or may
`
`share the antenna 62. Location detector 64 may be Global Positioning System
`
`1O
`
`(GPS), an Observed Time Difference system (OTD - where the mobile terminal 20
`
`computes position using observed timing of bursts from multiple base stations 18),
`
`a Time of Arrival system (TOA — where the network 10 computes position using
`
`mobile terminal bursts observed by multiple base stations 18), or other satellite or
`
`terrestrial systems as needed or desired, e.g. inertial systems. Typically, the
`
`15
`
`location detector 64 will output a geocoordinate expressed as a longitude and
`
`latitude coordinates corresponding to the present location of the mobile terminal
`
`20.
`
`In the event that the location detector 64 is not able to provide a sensed
`
`geocoordinate through its normal position determining network, it is possible that
`
`20
`
`the network 10 may provide to the mobile terminal 20 and particularly to the
`
`location detector 64, at least a cell location within the network. Further, with the
`
`use of a technique called “timing advance,” a radius from a particular base station
`
`18 may be determined. Thus, if the location detector 64 was not operational, the
`
`network 10 could at least provide some location information about the location of
`
`12
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`the mobile terminal 20, such as within two miles of the base station 18 at
`
`Broadway and Main Streets. While not as helpful as the location place-name
`
`descriptions of the present invention, this information may still be helpful to
`
`members of the affinity group.
`
`The present invention may be implemented through software stored in
`
`memory 24 or specific hardware components may be implemented within
`
`controller 22 to perform the functions discussed below.
`
`The application entitled METHOD FOR FACILITATING ELECTRONIC
`
`COMMUNICATION defines affinity groups and provides a number of different
`
`10
`
`embodiments of how an affinity group may function. Specifically, affinity groups
`
`may share information using a sewer based approach, or a peer-to-peer
`
`approach. Members receive updated information automatically when they turn on
`
`their mobile terminals 20, or periodically as part of a camping routine.
`
`In
`
`particular, when a user provides an update to their reported location, the server
`
`15
`
`may distribute the information, or the updating user’s mobile terminal 20 may
`
`contact each other active member of the affinity group. One key shortcoming of
`
`the prior invention was the fact that users may not provide timely updates about
`
`their location, or users may provide erroneous location information through
`
`carelessness or intention. This reliance on fallible human remembrance to update
`
`20
`
`location information prevents exploring some aspects of the utility of wireless
`
`based affinity groups. Further, in that invention, there is no provision for queries
`
`or independent verification of the current location of a remote affinity group
`
`member.
`
`13
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`While the application entitled METHOD FOR FACILITATING
`
`ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION contemplates Short Message Service (SMS)
`
`as the preferred technique by which members of an affinity group could
`
`communicate, there are other techniques that may be equally applicable including
`
`data messages, GPRS (GSM Packet Radio Service), e-mails, USSD, and the like.
`
`In certain geographically proximate locations, Bluetooth (a short range terminal to
`
`terminal communication technique) or other comparable technologies may be
`
`used. Regardless of the technique used to communicate amongst members of
`
`the affinity group, there remain functions that are not addressed in the Waesterlid
`
`10
`
`application.
`
`Commonly owned patent application serial number 09/097,941, entitled
`
`IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LOCATING A WIRELESS
`
`COMMUNICATION DEVICE, which is hereby incorporated by reference, provides
`
`a technique by which a mobile terminal 20 may be combined with a location
`
`15
`
`detector 64 and further programmed to recognize certain default locations.
`
`Specifically, that application contemplates a user defining a home or other default
`
`location by its geocoordinates and, when the location detector 64 returns sensed
`
`geocoordinates within a predetermined distance of these predefined
`geocoordinates, the mobile terminal 20 reports that the mobile terminal 20 is at
`
`20
`
`the default location. This simplifies location reporting to the extent that an address
`
`or common appellation is reported rather than merely a latitude and longitude.
`
`This technique may be used and expanded upon in the present invention.
`
`Alternative techniques to link a common descriptor or address to sensed
`
`geocoordinates may also be used if needed or desired. Words or phrases to
`
`14
`
`16
`
`16
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/U801/04128
`
`describe such predefined locations will be defined herein as “location place-name
`
`descriptions.” Additionally, some mobile terminals have the ability to transfer
`
`images or video clips. Thus, location place-name description is also defined
`
`herein to include such images, such videos, or even a short audio phrase that
`
`may describe the location.
`
`Additionally, there need not be a specific point that is associated with a
`
`location place-name description, but rather a polygon of a predetermined number
`
`of points could define a location having a location place-name description. For
`
`example, the four corners of the mall may define such a polygon. Then if the
`
`1O
`
`sensed geocoordinates of the mobile terminal 20 were within the defined polygon,
`
`or within a predetermined distance from an edge of the polygon, then the mobile
`
`terminal 20 would be reported as being located within the polygon and thus within
`
`the designated location. These polygons may be regular or nonuniform as
`
`needed or desired.
`
`15
`
`Still further, there members of the affinity group need not define all the
`
`location place-name descriptions used by the affinity group. Rather, it is possible
`
`that the service provider could provide a set of predefined locations having
`
`location place-name descriptions. Thus, the service provider could predefine the
`
`mall, the park, and the university library for example, and let the members of the
`
`20
`
`affinity group define other desired locations.
`
`The process of assessing location may be continuous or may be accessed
`
`at discrete instances based on user requests as detailed more fully below.
`
`It is
`
`imagined that there will be many places for which there are no location place-
`
`name descriptions.
`
`In these instances, the location detector 64 may generate raw
`
`‘15
`
`17
`
`17
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`sensed geocoordinates, or the mobile terminal 20 may store the last known
`
`location place—name description. Alternatively, vectors indicating travel direction
`
`and velocity may be generated that could be linked to the last known location
`
`place-name description. For example, “left home six minutes ago, heading SW at
`
`35 mph" could be a valid reported location. Alternatively, just a vector to a known
`
`location place-name description could be provided such as “3 km southeast of the
`
`mall." These vectors referencing known location place-name descriptions are
`
`helpful in providing some user friendly information about the whereabouts of
`
`members of the affinity group. Further, even when the location detector 64 was
`
`10
`
`not operational, the network 10 could provide cell location or some other rough
`
`positional estimate.
`
`To maximize the utility of the present invention, the location place—name
`
`descriptions should be shared amongst the affinity group such that other members
`of the affinity group may recognize when members are within one of the
`
`15'
`
`predefined locations. An exemplary technique to share such location place-name
`
`descriptions is shown in Figure 3, wherein an individual user triggers a command
`
`on the mobile terminal 20 that creates a new location place-name description
`
`(block 100). This may be done through manual entry through the keypad 30,
`
`voice activation through the microphone 34, uploading from a personal computer
`
`20
`
`(not shown) communicatively connected to the mobile terminal 20, or other
`
`technique as needed or desired. Mobile terminal 20 runs a function that
`
`determines the geocoordinates of the mobile terminal 20 corresponding to the
`
`location place-name description (block 102). This may be done through
`
`positioning the mobile terminal 20 at the desired location prior to running the
`
`16
`
`18
`
`18
`
`

`

`WO 01/74034
`
`PCT/USOl/04128
`
`routine, through manual entry of geocoordinates corresponding to the location to
`
`be defined, or the like. The geocoordinates are then associated with the location
`
`place-name description (block 104). This may be done with a look up table or the
`
`like as needed or desired. The user may then be prompted to share the location
`
`place-name description (block 106).
`
`If the user chooses to share t