Patent ID: 6236365
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: G01C,G01S,H04W

Abstract:
A method for locating a wireless mobile station in an area, wherein the area is included in a first area for a first network, and a second area for a second network, wherein:the first network has a first collection of one or more base station controllers, wherein each of the base station controllers control communications with a corresponding predetermined plurality of geographically dispersed base stations of the first network, wherein each base station controller of said first collection has access to operating characteristics of mobile stations registered with the first network for subscribing to a first wireless service offered by the first network,the second network has a second collection of one or more base station controllers, wherein each of the base station controllers in the second collection control communications with a corresponding predetermined plurality of geographically dispersed base stations of the second network, said second collection operably disjoint from said first collection wherein each base station controller of said second collection has a more restricted access to at least one operating characteristic of mobile stations: (i) registered with the first network, and (ii) not registered with the second network for subscribing to a wireless service offered by the second network,comprising:receiving first data related to wireless signals communicated between a particular mobile station in the area and the first network, wherein said particular mobile station is registered with the first network;first activating first location estimator for providing a first estimate of a location of the mobile station, wherein said first location estimator is supplied with first location information for deriving said first estimate, said first location information at least partially derived from the first data, said location information capable of changing with a change in a location of said particular mobile station;determining, from at least one of said first location information and said first estimate, a subset of one or more base station transceivers of the second network, wherein said subset is expected to include one or more base station transceivers:(A1) detected by said particular mobile station, and(A2) that detects said particular mobile station;providing the second network with said at least one operating characteristic of said particular mobile station obtained from the first network;obtaining, in response to said step of providing, additional location information derived at least partially from communications between said particular mobile station and said subset of transceivers related to wireless signals communicated between said particular mobile station and said subset of transceivers;second activating a second location estimator for providing a second estimate of a location of said particular mobile station, wherein said second location estimator is supplied with said additional location informational; andoutputting at least one of the first and second estimates of the location of the mobile station as an estimate of the location of said particular mobile station.