Method of operating a gateway with a location information system

Abstract

In response to a first location request message from a client terminal, a gateway stores the message and requests the location information of a target mobile terminal from a location information system. If a second location request message is received from other client terminal requesting the location information of the same mobile terminal while the initial client terminal is waiting for the requested information, the second location request message is stored. Reply messages are sent simultaneously to these client terminals when the requested information is received. In a modified embodiment, if location request messages are received from multiple client terminals for the same target mobile terminal, they are stored in a memory, which is then searched at periodic intervals. If the message of at least one client terminal is detected, the gateway acquires location information of the target terminal from the system and transmits a reply message to client terminals.

1 . A method of operating a gateway with a location information system, comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving a location request message from a client terminal, concerning location information of a mobile terminal;    b) acquiring the requested location information from said system, the acquired information including auxiliary information indicating accuracy of the acquired information;    c) transmitting the acquired location information to the requesting client terminal and storing the acquired location information in the gateway;    d) receiving a further location request message from a client terminal, requesting location information of a mobile terminal, the further location request message specifying one or more client's conditions including accuracy of location information; and    e) transmitting, to the requesting client terminal, a copy of the location information stored in the gateway if the further location request message concerns the stored location information and the auxiliary information of the stored location information satisfies said specified one or more client's conditions.    
   
   
       2 . A method of operating a gateway which sends location information of a target mobile terminal to a client terminal, wherein the gateway Stores the location information of the target mobile terminal, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving a request for location information of the target mobile terminal from the Client terminal, wherein the request specifies One Or more client's conditions; and    b) determining whether or not said stored location information is available for response to the received request based on both of said stored location information and said one or more client's conditions.    
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein step (b) comprises the steps of: 
 b1) determining whether or not the gateway Stores the location information of the target mobile terminal which satisfies said One or more client's conditions of said request; and    b2) if the gateway stores said location information, determining that the stored location information is available for response to the request.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said one or more clients conditions include the age of location information and/or the accuracy of the location information.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the gateway determines that said stored location information is available for response to the request if the amount of time lapsed from the instant the gateway received the location information from the location system satisfies the requested age and accuracy of said stored location information satisfies the requested accuracy.  
   
   
       6 . A method of operating a gateway which sends location information of a target mobile terminal to a client terminal, wherein the gateway stores said location information and is connected to a location information system, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) receiving a request for location information of the target mobile terminal from the client terminal, wherein the request specifies one or more clients conditions;    b) determining whether or not location information of the target mobile terminal that satisfies said one or more client's conditions is stored in the gateway;    c) transmitting a copy of said stored location information to the client terminal if the determination by step (b) indicates that said location information is stored in the gateway; and    d) acquiring location information of the target mobile terminal from the location information system if the determination by step (b) indicates that said location information is not stored in the gateway.