Patent ID: 8121620
Filing Date: 2012-02-21
Classification: G01S,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for locating a mobile phone in a wireless network, comprising: receiving at a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO) a location query from a third party device, the location query including a request for a location of a mobile phone having a global positioning system (GPS) module, the location query further including a telephone number of the mobile phone, and a password; determining a base station to which the mobile phone is associated based on the telephone number provided in the location query; forwarding the location query to the mobile phone via the base station, the mobile phone including a hidden/password mode that blocks GPS data from being sent by the mobile phone to the base station unless the location query includes a matching password, the mobile phone determining whether the password of the location query is a matching password, and the mobile phone sending GPS data to the base station responsive to the password of the location query being a matching password; responsive to the mobile phone determining that the password of the location query is a matching password and sending the GPS data, receiving GPS data from the mobile phone in response to the forwarding and converting the GPS data to location information; and forwarding the location information to the third party device via the MTSO.