Method for locating a terminal device and a communication system

US8301163B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• VODAFONE GMBH · DE

Inventors

• Alexej Kulakov · Mülheim an der Ruhr, DE
• Peter Wild · Krefeld, DE
• Yang Lu · Boise, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 19, 2011
• Grant date: Oct 30, 2012
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04W68/04
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

There is provided a method for locating a terminal device in a network system, at least one network having several cells that are combined to form one or more tracking areas. The one or more tracking areas are combined to form an equivalent area. An exemplary method comprises transmitting a locating message from the terminal device to a network when the terminal device enters an equivalent area. Locating messages are also transmitted from the terminal device to the network at predetermined time intervals. The method also comprises indicating via the locating messages a sub-area of an equivalent area in which the terminal device is located during the transmission of a locating message. The method additionally comprises storing at least the sub-area indicated in a most recently received locating message by the network. The method further comprises transmitting at least a first terminal device tracking call by the network within the stored sub-area in order to locate the terminal device.