Patent Publication Number: US-2012026036-A1

Title: Methods and Systems for Location Determination Via Multi-Mode Operation

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/056,709 filed Mar. 27, 2008 (now allowed as U.S. Pat. No. 7,999,792) and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. 121. The disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/056,709 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is related to providing location determination features to subscribers of a location determination system. More particularly, the present invention is related to use, via the location determination system, of a location determining device configured for incorporation in consumer products such as vehicles, pet collars, footwear, mobile telephones, personal digital assistants (PDA), handheld computers, and for other uses as described herein. 
     2. Related Art 
     Tracking technology and location determination is an expanding field. Current developments in tracking technology and methodologies are largely based upon handheld tracking devices that use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. These approaches, however, are limited by inherent limitations of GPS based systems. 
     For example, GPS systems require a clear sight-to-sky between a hand held device&#39;s receiver antenna and at least one orbiting GPS satellite. When this line-of-sight becomes obstructed, for example, by buildings, trees or largely anything that can obstruct sunlight, the reliability of GPS based location determination is significantly decreased. 
     Another tracking system uses cell triangulation. Although cell triangulation essentially works everywhere a cell phone works and is more robust that GPS, cell phone triangulation is less accurate that GPS. 
     Another significant limitation of current handheld location determination approaches is the lack of variety of location determination based services available to wireless subscribers. For example, beyond E911 and similar geo-location functions, users have limited ability to use one wireless device to efficiently determine location of another wireless device. 
     What is needed therefore, are dual-mode location determination approaches that can overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and limitations. What is also needed are location determination devices that can be incorporated into various articles, including consumer products, for the purpose of tracking and/or location determination using cellular triangulation and/or a global positioning system (GPS). Finally, what is needed is a variety of personal location determination services that can be provided to wireless subscribers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Consistent with the principles of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention includes 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 determined location of the second device is provided to the first device. 
     The present invention is directed to methods and systems for location determination and tracking (e.g., history of locations). Location can be determined, for example, through triangulation with cellular telephone towers and/or by use of GPS. Location and/or tracking information, such as tower locations, is uploaded to a remote device by wireless transmission (e.g., a cellular telephone link or infrared link) and/or by direct connection. Direct connection can include, for example, connection of a data cable between a location determining device and a device, and/or removal of a memory device from a location determination device and insertion of the memory device into another device, such as a computer-based system. Location and/or tracking information can be uploaded continuously, at predetermined times or intervals, and/or upon prompting. 
     A dual-mode arrangement (e.g., GPS and cellular) for determining location is desirable, especially in cases where the reliability of GPS has been impacted due, for example, to line-of-sight obstructions noted above. A dual-mode arrangement can be optimized to capitalize on the efficiencies of GPS and cell triangulation. 
     In a dual mode, for example, a handheld wireless device (e.g., a cell phone) can use either a cellular modem to locate its position when GPS is unavailable—or use GPS positioning when it is available. 
     In the cell triangulation mode, location is traditionally derived through the use of multiple cell towers. More specifically, triangulations are based upon acquiring information from the cell towers in range, transmitting the raw data to servers where location calculations are made, and then sending the location information back to the handheld wireless device. Performing location triangulation external to the handheld device creates inefficiencies and potential bottlenecks in providing location information. In the present invention, however, triangulation can be performed locally, within the hand-held device. 
     Triangulation with cellular telephone towers typically requires an account with a cellular telephone provider. Thus, where real-time location and/or tracking information is desired, such as with children and pets, and where the information is uploaded through a cellular telephone link, the location determination can be performed with cellular triangulation without incurring additional costs. Cellular location determination is provided for improved location determining availability, when GPS positioning is not available, and/or to periodically provide location information without incurring cellular access costs associated with cellular triangulation. 
     The location determining methods and systems, of the present invention, can be incorporated into a variety of devices, such as consumer products, including for example, clothing, footwear, pet accessories such as pet collars, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld computers. The methods and systems can also be incorporated into a variety of law enforcement products for attachment to vehicles, hand-carried accessories, and/or persons of interest. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure and particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, farther serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable one skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an example location determining device in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a detailed block diagram of the example location determining device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2B  is an illustration of an alternative configuration of the location determining device shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is an example illustration of the location determining device of  FIG. 2A  configured in a dual-mode arrangement; 
         FIG. 4  is an example illustration of the location determining device of  FIG. 2A  configured for operation in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is another example illustration of the location determining device of  FIG. 2A  configured for operation in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  a more detailed illustration of the second embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of the location determining device of  FIG. 2A  implemented in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a remote device configured in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of practicing the first embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary method of practicing the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Table of Contents 
     
         
         I. Overview of the Invention 
         II. The Multi-Mode Location Determination Device
       A. Dual-Mode Switching Operation   B. Tri-Mode Switching Operation   C. Quad-Mode Switching Operation   
     
         III. Example Subscription Models
       A. First Geofencing Example   B. Second Geofencing Example   C. Example Geofencing operational Scenario   D. Example End-to-End System Operation   E. Situational Location Example   
     
         IV. Methods of Practicing the Invention 
         V. Conclusion 
       
    
     I. Overview of the Invention 
     The following detailed description of the present invention refers to the accompanying drawings that illustrate exemplary embodiments consistent with this invention. Other embodiments are possible, and modifications may be made to the embodiments within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not meant to limit the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the appending claims. 
     It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention, as described below, may be implemented in many different embodiments. Any actual software code implementing the present invention is not limiting of the present invention. Thus, the operational behavior of the present invention will be described with the understanding that modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible, given the level of detail presented herein. 
       FIG. 1  an illustration of an example location determining device  100  in accordance with the present invention. Although numerous approaches exist to deriving and providing personal location information, the location determining device  100  is configured to facilitate person-to-person location determination. That is, the location determining device  100  can be configured to determine its own location, and then provide its determined location directly to a remote device  102 . By way of example, the remote device  102  can be a cell phone, PDA, and/or other similar device. 
     As discussed in greater detail below, the location determining device  100  is capable of multi-mode switching between, for example, use of GPS and cell tower triangulation to determine location information. This multi-mode switching capability permits the location determining device  100  to provide more robust location determination services than traditional devices. 
     The location determining device  100 , however, is only one component of a unique subscription system that provides subscribers a variety of person-to-person location determination services and features. 
     II. The Multi-Mode Location Determination Device 
     A. Dual Mode Switching Operation 
       FIG. 2A  is a detailed block diagram illustration of the example location determining device  100 , illustrated in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the personal location determining device  100 , includes a controller  208 , a cellular telephone transceiver  202 , and a location determination module  206 . The location determination module  206  includes a cellular triangulation location determination module (not shown). The personal location determining device  100  optionally includes a GPS transceiver  204 , and a GPS location determination module within the location determination module  206 . Conventional cellular telephone transceiver technology and/or conventional GPS technology can be used. The cellular telephone  202  and the optional GPS transceiver  204  enable a bi-model array switching capability of the device  100 . Operation of the personal location determining device  100 , will be discussed more fully below. 
     The present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 2A , provides a system where, for example, GPS location determination can be used when available. When GPS location determination is not available, the location determining device  100  can switch to triangulation location determination. Alternatively, when GPS location determination is unavailable, the location determining device  100  can switch from to triangulation to some other technique, such as Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) or fixed commercial transmitters when GPS is unavailable, if any of the other techniques provide a more accurate location determination. 
       FIG. 3  is an illustration of the example location determining device of  FIG. 2A  configured as a dual-mode system. In  FIG. 3 , the personal location determining device  100  determines location through the use of cellular triangulation and/or GPS. As known in the art, cellular triangulation relies on a cellular telephone transceiver that communicates with cellular towers  302  and determines its location by triangulation with the cellular towers  302 . GPS relies on a GPS transceiver that receives signals from GPS satellites  304 , which allows the GPS transceiver to determine its geographic location. The remote device  102  receives location information and/or tracking information from the location determining device  100 . The remote device  102  can include, for example, a computer-based system, a mobile telephone, a PDA, and/or other similar device. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 2A , during operation, the location determination module  206  receives information from the cellular telephone transceiver  202  and/or from the optional GPS transceiver  204 . The location determination module  206  determines location information from the received information received from the telephone transceiver  202  and/or from the GPS transceiver  204 . The location determination module  206  is configured or programmable to determine location information based on at least cellular triangulation information. The location determination module  206  is optionally configured to determine location information based on cellular triangulation information when available, and from GPS information when cellular triangulation information is not available. 
     Alternatively, the location determination module  206  can be configured to determine location information from a combination of cellular triangulation information and GPS information. To reduce costs associated with communicating with cellular towers  302  (see e.g.,  FIG. 3 ), for example, the location determination module  206  can be configured to determine location information based on cellular triangulation information at some times, and from GPS information at other times. 
     Where the personal location determining device  100  can be configured for both cellular triangulation location determination and GPS location determination, the controller  208  is configured to switch the location determination module  206  between a cellular triangulation location determination mode and a GPS location determination mode, as appropriate for the configuration. The controller  208  is optionally user-programmable for different triangulation/GPS modes of operation. 
     The controller  208  is configured to provide or upload the location information, optionally including tracking information, to the remote device  102  ( FIG. 1 ) and/or to a memory device of the personal location determining device  100 . 
     The controller  208  is configurable to upload the location information to the remote device  102  through a transmitter portion of the transceiver  202  and the cellular towers  302 . Alternatively, the controller  208  can be configured to upload the location information to a memory device and/or one or more external ports, which can include wire connector ports and/or infrared ports. Wire connector ports can include, for example, telephone ports, internet/Ethernet ports, printer ports, and/or universal serial bus (USB) ports. 
     The controller  208  can also be configured to upload the location information to a universal resource locator (URL) address of the Internet, using a connector port and/or the cellular transceiver  202 . 
     Where the personal location determining device  100  includes a wire connector port, a wire connector can be coupled between the personal location determining device  100  and the remote device  102 , and/or between the personal location determining device  100  and a transmitter that transmits the location information from the personal location determining device  100  to the remote device  102 . 
     Where the personal location determining device  100  includes a wire connector port, a portable memory device, such as a USB memory stick, can be inserted into an appropriate wire connector port for receiving and storing the location information. The portable memory device can then be transferred to the remote device  102  for downloading of the location information. 
     The controller  208  can be configured to upload location information continuously, at predetermined intervals, and/or upon receipt of a prompt from the remote device  102 . The controller  208  can receive prompts or requests for location information from the remote device  102  via the cell towers  302  and the transceiver  202 , and/or through an external port. The controller  208  can optionally respond to such queries only after requestor verification, which can be based on caller identification information. 
     The controller  208  can upload location information to a predetermined or programmed telephone number through the transceiver  202 , to one or more external ports, and/or to a predetermined or programmed URL. 
     The personal location determining device  100  optionally includes location history memory configured to store location information so that it can be uploaded at a later time. This can be useful in situations where the personal location determining device  100  is out of range for uploading the location information. 
     The controller  208  can upload location information in one or more of a variety of formats, such as, without limitation, audio and/or computer readable data. The location information can include, for example, geographical coordinates (e.g., longitude and latitude), and/or a street address. 
     The controller  208  can also send alerts and/or to upload location information upon a determination that a location determination is outside a programmable boundary, such as, for example, a perimeter of one&#39;s property (discussed more fully below). Such a feature is particularly useful in determining if a young child, pet, or individual under house arrest has left his home, or traveled beyond a property boundary. 
     The remote device  102  optionally includes software in the form of a 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  100 . More particularly, the computer program logic causes the computer system to receive location information uploaded by the controller  208 , and to display the location information, such as on a map, and/or to store the location information in a memory device of the computer system. The software can also include alarm logic that causes the computer system to determine whether the received location determination falls outside of a programmable boundary and generate and alert (audio and/or visual), and/or that causes the computer system receive such a determination from the personal location determining device  100  and generate an alert. 
     The personal location determining device  100 , or a portion thereof, is optionally enclosed within a housing configured for, or as, a consumer product and/or to be worn or carried by an individual. For example, the housing can be configured to fit within a pet collar or to attach to a pet collar (discussed in greater detail below). Alternatively, the housing can be configured to fit within in a shoe, including a tongue of the shoe or a cavity formed within the sole of the shoe. The housing can also be configured to attach externally to a shoe of for use with other consumer products including, such as mobile telephones, PDA, handheld computers and vehicles. The housing can also be incorporated into a variety law enforcement products for attachment to vehicles, hand-carried accessories, and/or persons of interest. 
     In one embodiment, the personal location determining device  100 , or a device in which it is incorporated, includes a power-down switch. In this configuration, the controller  208  is configured to maintain power to at least a portion of the personal location determining device  100  (e.g., the controller  208 , the cellular telephone transceiver  202 , the GPS transceiver  204 , and/or the location determination module  206 ), on at least a limited basis, after the power-down switch is activated. This arrangement prevents an individual from intentionally or accidentally deactivating the personal location determination device such that it is no longer determining or uploading location information. 
     In some instances, however, it may be necessary for the cellular telephone transceiver  202  and/or other portions of the personal location determining device  100  to be more fully powered down, for example, at an airport. The controller  208  is thus optionally configurable to more fully power-down the cellular telephone transceiver  202  and/or other portions of the personal location determining device  100  when a location determination is within a predetermined boundary or location, such as an airport. The controller  208  can also at least temporarily and partially power-up the cellular telephone transceiver  202  and/or other portions of the personal location determining device  100  at a later time and without deactivation of the power-down switch. The later time can be determined according to an algorithm or a predetermined or programmable period of time. 
     In dual-mode, the present invention will use both GPS and cell tower triangulation. In this mode, the personal location device  100  attempts to determine a location fix with GPS first. If the Assisted (or non-assisted) GPS location fix is available, the location device  100  will transmit the location coordinates back over the modem. If a GPS fix is not possible (for example because the unit is indoors), it will automatically switch to a cell-triangulation mode to determine location and will report that cell-triangulation is being used. Cell triangulation is completed on the personal location device  100  itself The GPS transceiver  204  continues to stay on at timed intervals after a location is queried. If the GPS transceiver  204  detects a GPS signal, it will revert out of cell triangulation mode, back to the GPS mode. Under normal circumstances, the GPS mode provides higher location accuracy. Any time the unit switches between modes, it automatically sends a location report. 
     The dual-mode switching arrangement, discussed above, can be used in combination with a number of wireless systems, such as cellular, WiFi, and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), etc., to report back to a system server. The dual-mode switching location technology can also include reporting back to a server in combination with a wireless system, and use of an Applied Service Provider model where the user pays on an interval or monthly bases to access this information. 
       FIG. 2B  is an illustration  210  of an alternative configuration of the location determining  100  device, shown in  FIG. 2A . In  FIG. 2B , and in a manner similar to the illustration of  FIG. 2A , a location determining device  100 ′ includes a cellular telephone transceiver  202 ′, a GPS transceiver  204 ′, and a controller  208 ′. In  FIG. 2B , however, a location determination module  206 ′ is located within a multi-mode position sever  212 . In  FIG. 2B , therefore, cellular triangulation as well as final position determination, occurs outside of the determining device  100 ′. 
     By way of example, in  FIG. 2B , the cellular triangulation and final position determination information is provided to the location determining device  100 ′ via the Internet  214  and via a cellular network  216 . The Internet  214  can also provide information to a personal computer (PC)  218  connected thereto, through either a wireless or wired connection. The cellular network  216  can provide information to a handheld device  220 , such as a cellular phone. 
     B. Tri-Mode Switching Operation 
     The present invention can also be configured to operate in conjunction with tri-mode switching location technology. In tri-mode operation, the location determination device  100  is able to derive its location information through at least three possible sources: GPS, cellular triangulation, and WiFi, or any radio transmission (i.e., beacon technology). 
     C. Quad-Mode Switching Operation 
     Further still, the present invention can be used in a quad-mode switching arrangement. By using quad-mode location technology, the location determination device  100  can derive its location information through at least four possible sources: GPS, cellular triangulation, WiFi, and WiMax. 
     III. Example Subscription Models 
     A. First Geofencing Example 
       FIG. 4  is an illustration  400  of the location determining device  100  operating in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. More particularly,  FIG. 4  is an illustration of one example of the unique services available to a subscriber of a network system using the personal location determining device  100 . By way of example, such a network can be comprised of existing the infrastructure associated with cellular phones, GPS, and/or mapping services. 
     In the illustration  400  if  FIG. 4 , the location determining device  100  can be used to provide real-time tracking of important possessions. In  FIG. 4 , the device  100  relies on dual-mode GPS and cellular triangulation tracks where GPS alone is inadequate, such as many malls, buildings and garages. 
     In  FIG. 4 , for example, a subscriber to location determination services can use existing digital mapping services to specify a geographic region  402  of interest. In particular, a subscriber can define this region using any arbitrary polygon. Existing systems that accomplish this function require the user to specify a cener point and a radius. The present invention does away with this restriction, and allows the subscriber to define any arbitrary shape defined by straight line edges. The system subscriber (e.g., a parent) and owner of a vehicle  404  can select a specific address or boundary  406  for which they have restricted a user of the vehicle  404  to cross. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the vehicle  404  is equipped with the personal location determining device  100 . In the example of  FIG. 4 , the location determining device  100  can be used to notify the subscriber whenever the vehicle  404  crosses the boundary  406 . Similarly, the subscriber can also be notified when the vehicle  404  arrives at a specific address. Operation of the location determining device  100 , in the example of  FIG. 4 , will be discussed more fully below. 
     B. Second Geofencing Example 
       FIG. 5  is another example illustration  500  of the location determining device  100  configured to operate in accordance with the present invention. In the illustration  500 , a pet owner may have concern with the location of a pet  502 . For example, although the pet  502  does not typically venture beyond a geographic boundary  504  of the owner&#39;s property  506 , the owner may desire to be notified if and when the pet  502  crosses the boundary  504 . In the illustration  500 , the pet  502  wears a pet finder device  508 , equipped with a specifically configured location determining device  510 . Here, the owner can receive notification forwarded to a remote device, such as a cell phone, whenever the pet  502  crosses the boundary  504 . This process is explained more fully with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     C. Example Geofencing Operational Scenario 
       FIG. 6  a more detailed illustration  600  showing exemplary operation and use of the location determining device  100  in accordance with the illustrations of  FIGS. 5  and  6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , as the pet  502  crosses the property boundary  504 , the location device  100  determines a current location of the device  100 . As discussed above, this determination can be derived, by way of example, through triangulation using the cell towers  302 . On the other hand, the location determination device  100  can derive its location based upon the GPS satellites  304 . Alternatively, the location determination device  100  can derive its location based upon a combination of the cell towers  302  and the GPS satellites  304 . This determination can be based upon periodic location determination performed in accordance with a subscriber selectable timing scheme. 
     In  FIG. 6 , the subscriber&#39;s location determination criteria can be specified and input to a network system controlled by a cellular or location determination service provider. For example, the service provider can enter the subscriber&#39;s location determination criteria as data to a server  602 , associated with the network system. The actual geographic location of the pet  502  can be forwarded to the server  602  along data path  604 . Date representative of the actual location of the pet  502  will be compared with the subscriber&#39;s location determination criteria. When the comparison indicates that the pet  502  has crossed the boundary  504 , a notification will be forwarded to the subscriber using a variety of mechanisms. 
     For example, the subscriber can choose to be notified via wireless device, wired device, or by email. If the subscriber chooses wireless notification, the server  602  forwards notification, by way of the cellular towers  302  and a wireless data path  606 , to the subscriber via the cell phone  102 , a PDA device  608 , or a watch device  610 . The watch device  610  can be equipped with a unique graphical user interface to provide suitable audio and/or video notification to the subscriber in accordance with the illustration  600 . 
     Alternatively, or in combination therewith, the subscriber can choose to receive e-mail notification. If the subscriber has chosen email notification, when the pet  502  crosses the geographic boundary  504 , an email will be forwarded from the server  602 , via the Internet  612 , to a subscriber&#39;s computer terminal  614 . In this alternative arrangement, the arrangement  600  of  FIG. 6  provides a user-friendly web-based approach for map and satellite tracking of a subscriber&#39;s possessions. This feature is also perfectly suitable for motorcycles, bikes, luggage, kid&#39;s backpacks, golf clubs, and more. 
     D. Example End-to-End System Operation 
     In the present invention, referring back to  FIGS. 2B and 3  for example, the location determining device  100 ′ can query the GPS transceiver  204 ′ for a position (e.g., on a scheduled basis, or in response to a remote request from the cellular network). If the mobile device  100 ′ is able to obtain a GPS position from the GPS transceiver, it forwards that position to the multi-mode position server  212 . If the mobile device  100 ′ is unable to obtain a GPS position from the GPS transceiver  204 ′, it relays this fact to the position server  212 . Alternatively, WiFi or information from fixed radio transmitters such as commercial broadcast radio and television stations can be used to relay or provide information related to GPS position determination. 
     Also relayed to the position server  212  is any other information that the mobile device  100 ′ can obtain, or deduce from the cellular network  216 , which can be used to provide a cellular based position of the mobile device  100 ′. This information includes, but is not limited to, the identification of the cell towers  302  that are visible, and tower signal strength. The multi-mode position server  212  then determines a position estimate for the location determining device  100 ′. As noted above, alternatively, the position determination can be performed on the location determining device  100 ′ itself. 
     By way of example, the estimate for the location determining device  100 ′ can be determined in the following manner: 
     A. If GPS position is provided from the mobile device, then this position is used as the position estimate. 
     B. If GPS position is reported as unavailable from the mobile device, the position server then computes a position estimate on the basis of measured parameters of the cellular network as seen from the mobile device. 
     C. This position server estimate is then forwarded to a user, upon request, or on a schedule, either to a device attached to the internet, or another mobile display. This can either be through the use of a web page, or a directed message. 
     E. Situational Location Example 
       FIG. 7  is an illustration  700  of the location determining device  100  operating as an inexpensive personal tracking system. More specifically, in the illustration  700 , two devices can be used to determine the distance between them. In one example, a user  702  can use a remote device  704  (e.g., a cell phone) equipped with the remote device  100 , to pinpoint the location of another user  706 . In this example, the user  706  has a ‘pingable’ device  708 , such as Eikonik&#39;s TommyBox™ tracking system. Using the remote device  704 , along with the location determining device  100 , the user  702  can ping the device  708  to determine a distance between it and the remote device  704 . 
     Since the remote device  704  knows its own location, provided by the location determination device  100 , when supplied the a relative distance between the remote device  704  and the device  708 , the location device  704  can also determine the location of the device  708  within a location grid  710 . For example, using geospatial mapping, the remote device  704  can determine the location of the device  708  by wirelessly pinging the device  708  along a data path  712 . 
       FIG. 8  is an illustration  800  of the PDA  608  configured in accordance with the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , the PDA  608  can be configured to display the grid  710 , pinpointing the precise location of the device  708  as determined using the pinging process discussed above with reference to  FIG. 7 . The PDA  608  provides a simplified visualization platform using standard resolution and digital map zoom functionality. 
     IV. Methods of Practicing the Invention 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an exemplary method  900  of practicing a first embodiment of the present invention. In the method  900 , a subscriber is granted access to a location determination network via a first device in step  902 . In step  904 , the location of a second device is determined via the network, the second device being configurable for dual mode location determination. In step  906 , the determined location of the second device is provided to the first device. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary method  1000  of practicing a second embodiment of the present invention. In the method  1000 , a subscriber is granted access to a location determination network via a first device, as indicated in step  1002 . The first device is configurable for dual mode location determination. In step  1004 , the subscriber is permitted 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. 
     V. Conclusion 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the implementation of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined herein for the convenience of the description. Alternate boundaries can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships thereof are appropriately performed. 
     The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying knowledge within the skill of the art, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments, without undue experimentation, without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments, based on the teaching and guidance presented herein. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, such that the terminology or phraseology of the present specification is to be interpreted by the skilled artisan in light of the teachings and guidance. 
     The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.