Locating a device via a text message
AssigneeAT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
InventorsSangar Dowlatkhah, Venson M. Shaw
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A first device may receive a location of a second device simply by sending a text message to the second device. The text message may comprise an identifier of the second device (e.g., phone number of the second device, mobile subsection identification number of the second device, etc.) and a location code. A communication network may intercept the text message. The communication network may analyze contents of the text message. The network may determine that the location code is valid and determine the location of the second device. The network may provide an indication of the location of the second device to the first device.
Claims18
An apparatus comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
- receiving a text message sent to a device, the text message comprising:
- a destination address of the device;
- an indication of a region of interest;
- and
- an image indicative of a location of the device;
- determining, based on the received text message, whether a provider of the text message is authorized to receive an indication of the location of the device;
- upon a determination that the provider of the text message is authorized to receive the indication of the location of the device, determining the location of the device;
- providing the indication of the location of the device when the location of the device is within the region of interest, the indication of the location of the device is provided in a format compatible for rendering with a geographical map;
- and
- restricting forwarding of the text message to the device based on a determination that:
- the text message contains a code indicative of a request for the location of the device, and
- the text message does not contain a message for the device at the destination address, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a mobile switching center, a short message service center, a consolidated network repository, a service mobile location center, or a radio access network.
A method comprising:
- receiving, by an apparatus, a text message sent to a device, the text message comprising:
- a destination address of the device;
- an indication of a region of interest;
- and
- an image indicative of a location of the device;
- determining, based on the received text message, whether a provider of the text message is authorized to receive an indication of the location of the device;
- upon a determination that the provider of the text message is authorized to receive the indication of the location of the device, determining the location of the device;
- providing the indication of the location of the device when the location of the device is within the region of interest, the indication of the location of the device is provided in a format compatible for rendering with a geographical map;
- and
- restricting forwarding of the text message based on a determination that:
- the text message contains a code indicative of a request for the location of the device, and
- the text message does not contain a message for the device at the destination address, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a mobile switching center, a short message service center, a consolidated network repository, a service mobile location center, or a radio access network.
A computer-readable storage medium that is not a transient signal comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:
- receiving, by an apparatus, a text message sent to a device, the text message comprising:
- a destination address of the device;
- an indication of a region of interest;
- and
- an image indicative of a location of the device;
- determining, based on the received text message, whether a provider of the text message is authorized to receive an indication of the location of the device;
- upon a determination that the provider of the text message is authorized to receive the indication of the location of the device, determining the location of the device;
- providing the indication of the location of the device when the location of the device is within the region of interest, the indication of the location of the device is provided in a format compatible for rendering with a geographical map;
- and
- restricting forwarding of the text message based on a determination that:
- the text message contains a code indicative of a request for the location of the device, and
- the text message does not contain a message for the device at the destination address, wherein the apparatus comprises at least one of a mobile switching center, a short message service center, a consolidated network repository, a service mobile location center, or a radio access network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.