Methods and Systems for Location Determination Via Multi-Mode Operation

Abstract

Provided is a method for facilitating location determination. The method includes granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device and determining location of a second device via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination. Finally, the determined location of the second device is provided to the first device.

1 . A method for facilitating location determination, comprising:
 granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device;   determining location of a second device via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination; and   providing the determined location of the second device to the first device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining occurs within the second device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a first of the dual modes includes a satellite constellation based component and a second of the dual modes includes a cellular network tower based component; and
 wherein the second of the dual modes is activated when the first of the dual modes is unavailable.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the determined location is provided as an update to an Internet web page. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second devices are remote to one another. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for facilitating location determination, comprising:
 means for granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device;   means for determining location of a second device via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination; and   means for providing the determined location of the second device to the first device.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the determining occurs within the second device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein one of the dual modes is based upon a satellite constellation and another of the dual modes is based upon cellular network towers. 
     
     
         9 . A method for facilitating location determination, comprising:
 granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device, the first device being configurable for dual mode location determination; and   permitting the subscriber to remotely determine location of a second device using the network, the location of the second device being provided to the user via the first device.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the determining occurs within the second device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein one of the dual modes is based upon a satellite constellation and another of the dual modes is based upon cellular network towers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the cellular network towers are used to perform triangulation. 
     
     
         13 . A personal location determining device, comprising:
 a cellular telephone transceiver;   a location determination module, including a cellular triangulation location determination module, coupled to the transceiver;   a controller coupled to the transceiver and to the location determination module, configured to provide location information to a transmitter portion of the transceiver; and   a housing encompassing at least one of the transceiver, the location determination module, and the controller;   wherein the housing is configured for a consumer product.   
     
     
         14 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to fit within a pet collar. 
     
     
         15 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to attach to a pet collar. 
     
     
         16 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to fit within a shoe. 
     
     
         17 . The location determining device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to fit within a tongue of the shoe. 
     
     
         18 . The location determining device of  claim 16 , wherein the housing is configured to fit within a cavity formed in a sole of the shoe. 
     
     
         19 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to attach externally to a shoe. 
     
     
         20 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to be worn by an individual. 
     
     
         21 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the housing is configured to be carried by an individual. 
     
     
         22 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , further comprising a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to the location determination module, wherein the location determination module includes a GPS location determination module. 
     
     
         23 . The location determining device of  claim 22 , wherein the location determination module is configured to:
 determine location information from cellular triangulation information when cellular triangulation information is available; and   determine location information from GPS information when cellular triangulation information is not available.   
     
     
         24 . The location determining device of  claim 22 , wherein the location determination module is configured to determine location information from a combination of cellular triangulation information and GPS information, 
     
     
         25 . The location determining device of  claim 22 , wherein the controller is configured to switch the location determination module between a cellular triangulation mode and a GPS mode. 
     
     
         26 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to upload location information at intervals. 
     
     
         27 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to upload location information upon receipt of a prompt from a receiver portion of the transceiver. 
     
     
         28 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to upload location information to a telephone number. 
     
     
         29 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to upload location information to a universal resource locator (URL). 
     
     
         30 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to upload location information upon a determination that a location determination is outside of a boundary. 
     
     
         31 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller comprises a programmable controller. 
     
     
         32 . The location determining device of  claim 31 , wherein the programmable controller is configured to be programmed to respond to location information requests based on caller identification information. 
     
     
         33 . The location determining device of  claim 31 , wherein the programmable controller is configured to upload information to a telephone number. 
     
     
         34 . The location determining device of  claim 31 , wherein the programmable controller is configured to upload information to URL. 
     
     
         35 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller uploads audio location information. 
     
     
         36 . The location determining device of  claim 13 , wherein the controller uploads location information as computer readable data. 
     
     
         37 . The location determining device of  claim 36 , further comprising computer program product including computer readable media having computer program logic recorded thereon that causes a computer system to track the location of one or more personal location devices, the computer program logic including:
 a receive function that causes the computer system to receive location identification uploaded by the controller; and   a display function that causes the computer system to display the location information on a map.   
     
     
         38 . The location determination device of  claim 16 , further comprising a location history memory coupled to the location determination module. 
     
     
         39 . The location determination device of  claim 13 , further comprising a power-down switch, wherein the controller is configured to maintain power to at the transceiver, the location determination module, and at least a portion of the controller, after the power-down switch is activated. 
     
     
         40 . The location determination device of  claim 39 , wherein the controller is further configured to power-down at least a transmitter portion of the transceiver when a location determination is within a boundary. 
     
     
         41 . The location determination device of  claim 40 , wherein the controller is further configured to power-down at least the transmitter portion of the transceiver when a location determination is within or near an airport. 
     
     
         42 . The location determination device of  claim 41 , wherein the controller is further configured to at least temporarily power-up the transmitter portion of the transceiver at a later time and without deactivation of the power-down switch. 
     
     
         43 . The location determination device of  claim 42 , wherein the controller is configured to at least temporarily power-up the transmitter portion of the transceiver at a later time, without deactivation of the power-down switch, according to an algorithm. 
     
     
         44 . A personal location determining device, comprising:
 a wireless transceiver;   a location determination module, including a cellular triangulation location determination module, coupled to the transceiver;   a controller coupled to the transceiver and to the location determination module, configured to provide location information to a transmitter portion of the transceiver; and   a housing encompassing at least one of the transceiver, the location determination module, and the controller;   wherein the housing is configured for a consumer product.   
     
     
         45 . A method for facilitating location determination, comprising:
 granting a subscriber access to a location determination network via a first device;   providing the subscriber a capability to determine location of a second device via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination; and   facilitating providing the determined location of the second device to the first device.   
     
     
         46 . A system configured to facilitate location determination, comprising:
 a first device configured to determine a location thereof; and   a second device configured to remotely receive from the first device the determined location thereof.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46 , wherein the determined location is received by the second device directly from the first device. 
     
     
         48 . A system, comprising:
 a mobile phone device including a global positioning system (GPS) receiver and a cellular modem; and   a position server on a network configured to communicate with the mobile phone device;   wherein the position server is configured to provide a location of the mobile phone device to a user.   
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the mobile phone device further includes a controller. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the position server communicates with the mobile device via a cellular network; and
 wherein the position server is coupled, at least indirectly, to an Internet.   
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein the user receives the location of the mobile phone via at least of the cellular network and the Internet. 
     
     
         52 . The system of  claim 51 , wherein the user is granted access to the cellular network in accordance with a service plan.