CN103297487A - Positioning assistance method and device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a positioning assistance method and a positioning assistance device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving a request for location information from a first device; receiving location information from one or more second devices associated with the first device; and sending the position information to the first equipment.

Description

Location householder method and device

Technical field

Embodiments of the invention relate in general to areas of information technology, and relate more specifically to locate householder method and device.

Background technology

The needs that in electronic equipments such as personal computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, dull and stereotyped computing equipment, navigator, have use location information.Some electronic equipments have via satellite, and thereby location technologies such as location, location, mobile base station, wireless network focus location, IP address location position the ability that obtains positional information, and the other electronic equipment does not possess such stationkeeping ability.In addition, depend on factors such as employed location technology and hardware designs, the positioning accuracy of some electronic equipments is higher than other electronic equipments.In addition, some electronic equipment expectations are saved electric power by number of times and time that minimizing positions.

Therefore, for some electronic equipments, obtain positional information from other electronic equipments and can realize obtaining stationkeeping ability, improve advantages such as positioning accuracy and/or saving electric power.Equipment of current existence directly obtains the technical scheme of positional information from another equipment.For example, electronic equipment can be via bluetooth radio interface from bluetooth GPS module receiving position information.Yet such scheme need be set up extra communication between equipment, and such communication may be subjected to the restriction of distance, is not convenient therefore.

Summary of the invention

In order to overcome above-mentioned shortcoming of the prior art, embodiments of the invention provide location householder method and device.Utilize this method and apparatus, an equipment can utilize the third party to come to obtain positional information from another equipment room ground connection, thereby need between equipment, not set up extra communication and not be subjected to the restriction of communication distance, therefore can be more expediently obtain positional information to realize obtaining stationkeeping ability, improve positioning accuracy and/or to save advantages such as electric power from another equipment.

According to an aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of location householder method, it comprises: receive the request of location information from first equipment; From with one or more second equipment receiving position informations of first device association; Send described positional information to first equipment.

According to a further aspect in the invention, provide a kind of positioning auxiliary device, it comprises: first receiving-member is used for receiving from first equipment request of location information; Second receiving-member, be used for from one or more second equipment receiving position informations of first device association; Transmit block is used for sending described positional information to first equipment.

Description of drawings

By reading detailed description hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, above-mentioned and other purposes of the embodiment of the invention, the feature and advantage easy to understand that will become.In the accompanying drawings, show some embodiment of the present invention in exemplary and nonrestrictive mode, wherein:

Fig. 1 shows the flow chart of location according to an embodiment of theinvention householder method 100.

Fig. 2 shows the schematic block diagram of positioningauxiliary device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention; And

Fig. 3 shows the schematic block diagram of the computer system 300 that is suitable for putting into practice the embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

Below with reference to some exemplary embodiments principle of the present invention and spirit are described.Should be appreciated that providing these embodiment only is for those skilled in the art can being understood better and then realize the present invention, and be not to limit the scope of the invention by any way.

Below with reference to Fig. 1, it shows the flow chart of location according to an embodiment of theinvention householder method 100.

In step S102, receive the request of location information from first equipment.In step S104, from one or more second equipment receiving position informations of first device association.In step S106, send described positional information to first equipment.

First equipment and second equipment can be electronic equipments such as personal computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, dull and stereotyped computing equipment, navigator.Positional information can be longitude and latitude, street address, point of interest (POI) etc., and wherein longitude and latitude can comprise accuracy rating.Above-mentioned each reception and send and to utilize multiple communication mode to carry out, for example internet, WLAN (wireless local area network), 2G/3G/4G data communication, bluetooth, infrared, near-field communication (NFC) etc. or its any combination.

Utilize this method, an equipment can utilize the third party to come to obtain positional information from another equipment room ground connection, thereby need between equipment, not set up extra communication and not be subjected to the restriction of communication distance, therefore can be more expediently obtain positional information to realize obtaining stationkeeping ability, improve positioning accuracy and/or to save advantages such as electric power from another equipment.

In one embodiment, first equipment is allowed to obtain positional information from second equipment.For example, first equipment that can record in database is allowed to from one or more second equipment of its acquisition positional information, and wherein first equipment and second equipment for example can wait to identify with international mobile equipment identification number (IMEI), international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).In above-mentioned steps S104, first equipment of can inquiring about from this database is allowed to obtain from it one or more second equipment of positional information then, and from these one or more second equipment receiving position informations.In this way, guaranteed that first equipment has the authority that obtains positional information from second equipment, thereby protected privacy of user.

In one embodiment, second equipment is specified by first equipment.For example comprise the appointment to second equipment the request of the location information that in step S102, receives from first equipment.

In one embodiment, first equipment is related with identical user ID with second equipment.For example, in website or application program, utilize first user ID to carry out landing and second equipment utilizes in the website corresponding with this website or application program or application program under the situation that second user ID carried out landing at first equipment, in above-mentioned steps S104, can select its 2nd ID second equipment identical with an ID to come receiving position information.For example, following situation is possible: the personal computer as first equipment utilizes an ID to land at everybody net (www.renren.com), and in everybody net (m.renren.com) of mobile edition or everybody net application program, utilize two ID identical with an ID to land as the mobile phone of second equipment, in this case, this personal computer can obtain positional information from this mobile phone, thereby can carry out the operation that " (check-in) registers " etc. needs positional information at personal computer.

In one embodiment, with the user ID of first device association and with the user ID of second device association be good friend in the social networks.For example, utilize first user ID to carry out landing in social networking website or application program and second equipment utilizes in the social networking website corresponding with this social networking website or application program or application program under the situation that second user ID carried out landing at first equipment, can select its 2nd ID and an ID in above-mentioned steps S104 is that second equipment of the good friend in this social networks comes receiving position information.In this way, can be implemented in sharing position information between the good friend in the social networks.

As used herein term " social networks " or " social network sites " be point to the special object interested or just together the people of " saunter " the web website of virtual community is provided.The member communicates by technological means such as voice, chat, instant message, video conference and blogs.And social networks provides other members' of contact good friend's method usually to the member.This website can also be as the media of meeting in person.Social networks communicates and mutual ability (noting having the implication that is equal to " member " and " user " of social networks, so be used interchangeably) for its user or member provide other users with this social networks.In operation, the user of social networks can at first login, and carries out interaction with its good friend or other users then.Term " good friend " refers to that the user is formed with any other user of connection, association or other relations by social networks as used herein.(but not necessarily) that connection in the social networks is normally two-way, so term " good friend " may depend on reference system.Notice that the connection between the good friend can be direct connection; Yet some execution mode of social networks allows to form good friend's relation via one-level or multistage indirect connection.In addition, term " good friend " is not to necessarily require the user to be actually friend in actual life, and it only represents the relation in the social networks.

In one embodiment, second equipment has the positional information higher than first equipment precision.For example the included accuracy rating of the longitude and latitude that has of second equipment is littler than first equipment, or first equipment only has street address and second equipment has point of interest, etc.But second equipment that should be noted that also can not have the positional information higher than first equipment precision, and in this case, first equipment obtains positional information from second equipment and saves purposes such as electric power with realization.

In one embodiment, the positional information that receives from second equipment is the positional information of distance before a period of time now.For example, second equipment may located before a period of time now, and recorded the positional information before distance a period of time now in storage medium, in this case, it also may be useful that first equipment obtains the positional information of distance before a period of time now from second equipment.For example, following situation is possible: be used as the second equipment mobile phone yesterday and taken a photo, and the personal computer of wishing first equipment that is used as today with this photo upload to the website and to its point of addition information, positional information when in this case, this personal computer can obtain to take pictures yesterday from this mobile phone.

Below with reference to Fig. 2, it shows the schematic block diagram of positioningauxiliary device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figure 2, positioningauxiliary device 200 comprises: first receiving-member 202 is used for receiving from first equipment request of location information; Second receiving-member 204, be used for from one or more second equipment receiving position informations of first device association; Transmit block 206 is used for sending described positional information to first equipment.

In one embodiment, first equipment is allowed to obtain positional information from second equipment.

In one embodiment, second equipment is specified by first equipment.

In one embodiment, first equipment is related with identical user ID with second equipment.

In one embodiment, with the user ID of first device association and with the user ID of second device association be good friend in the social networks.

In one embodiment, second equipment has the positional information higher than first equipment precision.

In one embodiment, the positional information that receives from second equipment is the positional information of distance before a period of time now.

For the purpose of clear, in Fig. 2 and the subassembly that comprises of not shown each parts.Yet, should be appreciated that the parts of record in thedevice 200 are with corresponding with reference to the step in the method for figure 1 description respectively.Thus, above the operation of describing at the method for Fig. 1 and the feature parts and the subassembly that are equally applicable todevice 200 and wherein comprise do not repeat them here.

It is also understood thatdevice 200 can utilize variety of way to realize.For example, in certain embodiments,device 200 can utilize software and/or firmware module to realize.In addition,device 200 also can utilize hardware module to realize.For example,device 200 can be implemented as integrated circuit (IC) chip or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) (ASIC).Device 200 also can be implemented as SOC (system on a chip) (SOC).Other modes known or exploitation in the future also are feasible now, and scope of the present invention is unrestricted in this regard.

Below with reference to Fig. 3, it shows the schematic block diagram of the computer system 300 that is suitable for putting into practice the embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figure 3, computer system 300 can comprise: CPU (CPU) 301, RAM (random access memory) 302, ROM (read-only memory) 303, system bus 304, hard disk controller 305, keyboard controller 306, serial interface controller 307, parallel interface controller 308, display controller 309, hard disk 310, keyboard 311, serial external equipment 312, parallel external equipment 313 and display 314.In these equipment, with system bus 304 coupling CPU 301, RAM 302, ROM 303, hard disk controller 305, keyboard controller 306, serialization controller 307, parallel controller 308 and display controller 309 arranged.Hard disk 310 and hard disk controller 305 couplings, keyboard 311 and keyboard controller 306 couplings, serial external equipment 312 and serial interface controller 307 couplings, parallel external equipment 313 and parallel interface controller 308 couplings, and display 314 and display controller 309 couplings.Should be appreciated that the described structured flowchart of Fig. 3 illustrates just to the purpose of example, rather than limitation of the scope of the invention.In some cases, can increase or reduce some equipment as the case may be.

Should be noted that embodiments of the invention can realize by the combination of hardware, software or software and hardware.Hardware components can utilize special logic to realize; Software section can be stored in the memory, and by suitable instruction execution system, for example microprocessor or special designs hardware are carried out.Those having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that above-mentioned apparatus and method can be used computer executable instructions and/or be included in the processor control routine realizes, for example such as the mounting medium of disk, CD or DVD-ROM, provide such code such as the programmable memory of read-only memory (firmware) or such as the data medium of optics or electronic signal carrier.Device of the present invention and module thereof can be by such as very lagre scale integrated circuit (VLSIC) or gate array, realize such as the semiconductor of logic chip, transistor etc. or such as the hardware circuit of the programmable hardware device of field programmable gate array, programmable logic device etc., also can use the software of being carried out by various types of processors to realize, also can by the combination of above-mentioned hardware circuit and software for example firmware realize.

Although should be noted that some parts or the subassembly of having mentioned device in above-detailed, this division only is not enforceable.In fact, according to embodiments of the invention, the feature of above-described two or more parts and function can be specialized in parts.Otherwise the feature of above-described parts and function can further be divided into by a plurality of parts to be specialized.

In addition, although described the operation of the inventive method in the accompanying drawings with particular order,, this is not that requirement or hint must be carried out these operations according to this particular order, or the operation shown in must carrying out all could realize the result of expectation.On the contrary, the step of describing in the flow chart can change execution sequence.Additionally or alternatively, can omit some step, a plurality of steps be merged into a step carry out, and/or a step is decomposed into a plurality of steps carries out.

Though described the present invention with reference to some specific embodiments, should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to disclosed specific embodiment.The present invention is intended to contain interior included various modifications and the equivalent arrangements of spirit and scope of claims.The scope of claims meets the most wide in range explanation, thereby comprises all such modifications and equivalent structure and function.

Claims (14)

Translated fromChinese

1.一种定位辅助方法，其包括：1. A positioning assistance method, comprising:从第一设备接收对位置信息的请求；receiving a request for location information from a first device;从与第一设备关联的一个或多个第二设备接收位置信息；receiving location information from one or more second devices associated with the first device;向第一设备发送所述位置信息。Send the location information to the first device.2.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中第一设备被允许从第二设备获得位置信息。2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device is allowed to obtain location information from the second device.3.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中第二设备由第一设备指定。3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device is designated by the first device.4.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中第一设备和第二设备与相同的用户ID关联。4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device and the second device are associated with the same user ID.5.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中与第一设备关联的用户ID和与第二设备关联的用户ID是社交网络中的好友。5. The method of claim 1, wherein the user ID associated with the first device and the user ID associated with the second device are friends in a social network.6.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中第二设备具有比第一设备精度更高的位置信息。6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second device has location information with higher accuracy than the first device.7.如权利要求1所述的方法，其中从第二设备接收的位置信息是距现在一段时间之前的位置信息。7. The method of claim 1, wherein the location information received from the second device is location information some time ago from now.8.一种定位辅助装置，其包括：8. A positioning aid comprising:第一接收部件，用于从第一设备接收对位置信息的请求；a first receiving component, configured to receive a request for location information from a first device;第二接收部件，用于从与第一设备关联的一个或多个第二设备接收位置信息；a second receiving component, configured to receive location information from one or more second devices associated with the first device;发送部件，用于向第一设备发送所述位置信息。A sending component, configured to send the location information to the first device.9.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中第一设备被允许从第二设备获得位置信息。9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first device is allowed to obtain location information from the second device.10.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中第二设备由第一设备指定。10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second device is specified by the first device.11.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中第一设备和第二设备与相同的用户ID关联。11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first device and the second device are associated with the same user ID.12.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中与第一设备关联的用户ID和与第二设备关联的用户ID是社交网络中的好友。12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the user ID associated with the first device and the user ID associated with the second device are friends in a social network.13.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中第二设备具有比第一设备精度更高的位置信息。13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second device has location information with higher precision than the first device.14.如权利要求8所述的装置，其中从第二设备接收的位置信息是距现在一段时间之前的位置信息。14. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the location information received from the second device is location information some time ago from now.

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