Patent ID: 8131818
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for optimizing caching period of location data for network based location services performed by a location caching server, said method comprising: receiving a location request for a location service from a network location server, comprising parameters of MSISDN, Precision, TimeStamp, and ServiceType, wherein MSISDN identifies a mobile device that originates the location request, wherein Precision is a first accuracy of the location data that is requested by MSISDN, wherein the Precision is selected from the group consisting of {HIGH, MEDIUM, UNKNOWN, LOW}, in descending order of the first accuracy, wherein TimeStamp is a first time value when the network location server received the location request, wherein ServiceType is a second accuracy of the location data corresponding to a type of the location service, wherein the second accuracy ServiceType is determined by the network location server independently from the first accuracy Precision, and is selected from the group consisting of {HIGH, MEDIUM=UNKNOWN, LOW}, in descending order of the second accuracy, wherein ServiceType corresponds to a default caching period CachePeriod, and wherein a caching period employed to service the location request is determined pursuant to both CachePeriod and Precision; determining that current location data of the mobile device needs to be obtained because a location cache coupled to the location caching server does not have a location cache entry accurate enough to service the received location request pursuant to a combination of Precision and ServiceType; subsequent to said determining, obtaining the current location data from the network location server responsive to sending a real location query to the network location server; a processor of a computer adjusting the caching period based on a distance that the mobile device has traveled during a time lapse between the first time value TimeStamp and a second time value when the network location server received the real location query from said obtaining, pursuant to the combination of Precision and ServiceType; and setting a new location cache entry to the location cache, the new location cache entry comprising parameters of MSISDN, NewServiceType, NewCachePeriod, PriorLocation, and PriorTimeStamp, wherein NewServiceType is either ServiceType or Precision, wherein NewCachePeriod is the adjusted caching period, wherein PriorLocation is the obtained current location data, and wherein PriorTimeStamp is the second time value.