Location based services in communications networks

摘要

This disclosure concerns systems and methods for implementing location based services in communications networks. In one example, when the GMLC of a telecommunications network receives a request for the location of a mobile terminal, an SMLC is interrogated to obtain therefrom, if available, data indicative of the location of the relevant mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be caused to selectively switch between a GSM radio access network and another access network if no location information is derivable from one of the access networks currently used by the device.

主权项

1. A telecommunications network, comprising:
a radio access network comprising a plurality of geographically distributed cells; a core network adapted to provide telecommunications network functions to devices registered therewith, wherein the core network is adapted to provide the telecommunications network functions to said devices via the radio access network or via a second access network, the telecommunications network further comprising:
means for determining if the device is connected to the core network using the second access network or the radio access network;means for receiving a request for the location of a device included in said devices;interrogating means for determining whether a location data processor can provide data indicative of the location of said device, the data indicative of location being determined by whether the device is connected by the second access network or the radio access network, the interrogating means being configured to maintain a table of geographic location data for each access point to which the interrogating means is connected; andmeans for causing the device to switch from a first one to a second one of the respective radio and second access networks if said location indicative data is determined not to be available when the device uses the first one of the respective radio and second access networks,wherein a relative location of the device is returned to the interrogating means via the second access network, the interrogating means being further configured to determine the geographical coordinates of the device using the relative location and the stored geographic location data, andwherein said device is reconnected to the first one of the respective radio and second access networks after the location indicative data is determined.