Radio apparatus capable of detecting its position and position search method

A radio apparatus comprising:

• a receiver that receives a radio signal;
• a receiver controller that checks whether said radio signal includes a search request requesting the position of said radio apparatus;
• a positioning mechanism that judges whether said apparatus can determine its position and, if possible, determines the position of said radio apparatus;
• a transmitter that sends a message to a sender of said radio signal in response to said search request if said position mechanism determines that said apparatus cannot determine is position information;
• wherein said message comprises the position of a base station located nearest to said radio apparatus;
• further comprising a memory that stores said message;
• a controller that sets a response hold state if said positioning mechanism judges that said radio apparatus cannot determine its position;
• identification means that checks the identification information of the sender of said radio signal after said response hold state is set;
• and
• reading means that reads the message stored in said memory after said response hold state is set;
• wherein after said message is read from said storing means, said response hold state ends and said transmitter sends said message.

A position search system including a first radio apparatus and a second radio apparatus, wherein said first radio apparatus comprises:

• positioning means for said first radio apparatus to determine its position;
• receiving means for receiving a radio signal from said second radio apparatus;
• judging means for judging whether said first radio apparatus can determine its position;
• checking means for checking whether said radio signal includes a search request requesting the position of said first radio apparatus;
• sending means for sending a message to said second radio apparatus in response to said search request if said judging means judges that said first radio apparatus cannot determine its position;
• wherein said message comprises the position of a base station located nearest to said radio apparatus;
• wherein said first radio apparatus further comprises storing means for storing said message;
• setting means for setting a response hold state if said judging means determines that said first radio apparatus cannot determine its position;
• identification means for checking the identification information of the sender of said radio signal after said response hold state is set;
• and
• reading means for reading the message stored in said storing means after said response hold state is set;
• wherein after said message is read from said storing means, said response hold state ends and said sending means sends said message.

A position search method for searching a position of a radio apparatus, said method comprises:

• receiving a radio signal;
• judging whether said radio apparatus can determine its position;
• checking whether said radio signal includes a search request requesting the position of said radio apparatus;
• sending a message to a sender of said radio signal in response to said search request if said radio apparatus cannot determine its position;
• wherein said message comprises the position of a base station located nearest to said radio apparatus;
• wherein said position search method further comprises storing said message;
• setting a response hold state if it is judged that said radio apparatus cannot determine its position;
• checking the identification information of the sender of said radio signal after said response hold state is set;
• and
• reading the stored message after said response hold state is set;
• ending said response hold state after said stored message is read and sending said message.