Personal Location Code

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for receiving a request from a requestor to locate a user. The request identifies a personal location code (PLC) for the user. It is determined if the request is allowed based on the PLC. If the request is allowed, the current location of the user is obtained based on the location of one or more devices associated with the user. The current location of the device is then provided to the requestor.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A method of controlling access to location information, comprising:
 receiving, at a physical location server, a location request to obtain current location information associated with a physical target mobile device, said location request comprising a unique network-independent code to authorize provision of location of a physical target mobile device, said unique network-independent code being distinct from identification information associated with a requesting device and distinct from identification information associated with said physical target mobile device,   validating said unique network-independent code for a particular granularity of location provided in response to said location request; and   providing, in response to said unique network-independent code being validated, said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device, to said requesting device.   
     
     
         32 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said unique network-independent code has expired.   
     
     
         33 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said current location information has one of a plurality of possible granularities based on said unique network-independent code received with said location request.   
     
     
         34 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 obtaining said location information from a locator service outside a network including said requesting device.   
     
     
         35 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 tracking past locations of said physical target mobile device over time.   
     
     
         36 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said location may be provided based on permissible times associated with said unique network-independent code.   
     
     
         37 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device is private.   
     
     
         38 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device corresponds to a set of approved locations.   
     
     
         39 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 limiting said current location information for said physical target mobile device based on said received unique network-independent code to a predetermined description.   
     
     
         40 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 obtaining current location information for at least two physical target mobile devices both using said unique network-independent code.   
     
     
         41 . A method of controlling access to location information, comprising:
 receiving, at a locator service outside a physical network of a requesting device, a location request to obtain current location information associated with a physical target mobile device, said location request comprising a unique network-independent code to authorize provision of location of a physical target mobile device, said unique network-independent code being distinct from identification information associated with a requesting device and distinct from identification information associated with said physical target mobile device,   validating said unique network-independent code to determine that said unique network-independent code has not yet expired; and   providing, in response to said unique network-independent code being validated, said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device, to said requesting device.   
     
     
         42 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said unique network-independent code has expired.   
     
     
         43 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 said current location information has one of a plurality of possible granularities based on said unique network-independent code received with said location request.   
     
     
         44 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 obtaining said location information from a locator service outside a network including said requesting device.   
     
     
         45 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 tracking past locations of said physical target mobile device over time.   
     
     
         46 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said location may be provided based on permissible times associated with said unique network-independent code.   
     
     
         47 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device is private.   
     
     
         48 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 said validating said unique network-independent code includes determining if said current location information associated with said physical target mobile device corresponds to a set of approved locations.   
     
     
         49 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 limiting said current location information for said physical target mobile device based on said received unique network-independent code to a predetermined description.   
     
     
         50 . The method of controlling access to location information according to  claim 41 , further comprising:
 obtaining current location information for at least two physical target mobile devices both using said unique network-independent code.