Patent ID: 7379743
Filing Date: 2008-05-27
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for storing location data input by subscribers in a telecommunication network for use in providing directions to locations determined by the location data, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a request, from a first subscriber device at a first location, for location services in the telecommunication network; in response to said request, establishing communications between the first subscriber device and a telecommunication node that supports location services; receiving at the node first location data that locates the first location, said first location data transmitted from the first subscriber device at the first location; storing the first location data in a record in a database in the telecommunication network, the record also containing an access code identifying the record associated with the first subscriber device; receiving at the node a request for directions to the first location from a second subscriber device operated by a second subscriber, the received request for directions including current location data corresponding to a current location of the second subscriber, the request for directions further including the access code; retrieving previously stored first location data corresponding to the first location by the node based on the access code from the second subscriber matching the access code entered by the first subscriber; comparing the first location data and the current location data at the node to determine the position of the first location data relative to the current location data; generating directions for traveling to the first location from the current location based on the first location data and the current location data; transmitting the directions from the node to the second subscriber, thereby providing the second subscriber with directions for proceeding from the current location to the first location.