Method for the provision of location information

Abstract

In a communication system a request for location information associated with a target user is signalled from an entity. Said request contains information identifying the requestor of said location information. A verification is performed based on said identifying information if the target user has authorised the requester to initiate provision of location information that associates with the target user. The location information provision is initiated if it is determined that the requester is authorised by the target user to initiate provision of location information that associates with the target user.

1 - 21 . (Cancelled)  
   
   
       22 . A method in a communication system, the method comprising: 
 signalling a request for location information associated with a target user, said request containing information identifying the requestor of said location information;    verifying based on said identifying information if the target user has authorized the requester to initiate provision of location information that associates with the target user, wherein at least a part of the information about the authorizations by the target user is stored in a separate network entity provided in the communication system; and    if the requester is authorized by the target user to initiate provision of location information that associates with the target user, initiating the provision of said location information.    
   
   
       23 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the request is generated at a user equipment of the requester and signaled to a location service client entity adapted for provision of location services for the users of the communication system.  
   
   
       24 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein location information associated with the target user is provided only for requesters who are determined by the target user as being authorized to receive information associated with the location of the target user.  
   
   
       25 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein at least a part of the information about the authorizations by the target user is stored in storage means provided in the communication system.  
   
   
       26 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the at least a part of information about the authorizations by the target user is fetched from a second communication system, said second communication system being accessible for the entities of the communication system wherein the verification is performed.  
   
   
       27 . A method as claimed in  claim 25 , wherein a verification entity of the communication system accomplished the verification based on said stored information and identifying information.  
   
   
       28 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the verification comprises verifying if an identifier of the requester can be found from a list of identifiers associated with the target user.  
   
   
       29 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , comprising signalling of said identifying information to the user equipment of the target user for the authorization.  
   
   
       30 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein initiation of provision of location information is authorized or denied at the user equipment of the target user in response to receiving said identifying information.  
   
   
       31 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein information about the authorizations by the target user is stored in storage means provided at the user equipment of the target user, and wherein the user equipment verifies based on the received information if the storage means of the user equipment contains an authorization for the requester.  
   
   
       32 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said identifying information comprises the name or nickname of the requester.  
   
   
       33 . A method as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein the name or nickname is contained in a client information parameter.  
   
   
       34 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the identifying information is included into a message requesting for location information by said location service client entity.  
   
   
       35 . A method as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein the user of the user equipment authorizes the requester on a case by case basis.  
   
   
       36 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , comprising translation of an identifier to a format based on which the verification can be performed.  
   
   
       37 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the location information is provided by means of a location service entity of the communication system, and the requester signals with a client entity of the location service entity, said client entity being an entity external to the communication system.  
   
   
       38 . A method as claimed in  claim 22 , comprising modifying information about the authorizations by the target user that is stored in storage means by means of the user equipment of the target user.  
   
   
       39 . A communication system comprising: 
 a location information provision entity;    communication media for signalling from a client entity to the location information provision entity a request for location information associated with a target user, said request containing information identifying the requester of said location information;    a separate network entity in the communication system for storing at least a part of the information about the authorizations by the target user; and    verification means for verifying based on said identifying information if the target user has authorized the requester, wherein provision of location information that associates with the target user can be initiated only if such authorization is given.    
   
   
       40 . A location service server for use in a communication system, the location service server being arranged to receive a request for location information associated with a target user, said request containing information identifying the requester of said location information and to verify from a separate network entity in the communication system that stores at least a part of the information about the authorizations by the target user, the verification being based on said identifying information if the target user has authorized the requester, whereby the location service server authorizes provision of location information that associates with the target user only for requesters authorized the by the target user.  
   
   
       41 . A user equipment for communication via a communication system, the user equipment being arranged to receive and process messages that associate with provision of information about the location of the user equipment, and to authorize provision of such information.  
   
   
       42 . A user equipment as claimed in  claim 41 , comprising a user interface arranged to enable the user to authorize or deny requests for location information and/or for modifying information regarding authorizations stored in a storage means.