System and method for the exchange of location information in a telephone network

摘要

A wireless communications system (10) is presented where a mobile station (12) is able to automatically determine its proximity to a second mobile station (22) or landline telephone (100). Once the proximity determination command has been given, no further actions are required by the users of either telephone. A GPS receiver (20) connected to the first mobile station (12) is able to provide that mobile with its position and direction. The first mobile station (12) makes a request to the other telephone (22,100) for its position, through SMS messaging for example. A GPS receiver (24) connected to the second mobile station (22) is able to provide the second mobile station (22) with data to enable the position request. Trust determinations can be enabled so that position data is sent to a restricted list of requesting telephone numbers. Likewise, the second mobile station (22) can request position data from the first moblile station (12). When position information is requested from a landline telephone (100), the request can be fulfilled by the landline telephone service provider. A method (102) for automatically exchanging position information is also provided.