Method for mobile to inform base station of additonal GPS capabilities

1. A method of configuring a mobile communication between a position determination entity and a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

a. indicating to the position determination entity that the mobile device has an ability to perform a satellite-based global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication; and

b. setting a preferred response quality indicator to a first state that will allow the mobile device an extended period to provide location data about the mobile device to the position determination entity when the mobile device has the ability to perform a global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication and setting the preferred response quality indicator to a second state that will not allow the mobile device an extended period to provide location data about the mobile device to the position determination entity when the mobile device does not have the ability to perform a global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicating step comprises the step of setting a simultaneous communication bit in a positioning system acquisition capability field.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the positioning system acquisition capability field is stored in the mobile device and further comprising the step of transmitting the positioning system acquisition capability field to the position determination entity.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicating step is executed when the mobile device includes a capability to communicate over more than one channel simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of employing a code division multiple access communications technology.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of sending communications over a first communications channel and receiving positioning system location data over a second communications channel.

7. A method of indicating a position of a mobile device to a communications network, comprising the steps of:

a. initiating a call by the mobile device to the communications network;

b. receiving a request from the communications network for an indication of capabilities of the mobile device;

c. transmitting to the communications network an indication of whether the mobile device has a capability to execute a satellite-based global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication;

d. if the mobile device indicates that it has a capability to execute a satellite-based global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication, then setting an extended period for the mobile device to provide location information to the communications network; and

e. if the mobile device does not indicate that it has a capability to execute a satellite-based global positioning system search simultaneously with a telephone communication, then setting a standard period for the mobile device to provide location information to the communications network.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of transmitting to the communications network the indication of whether the mobile device has a capability to execute more than one communication simultaneously comprises the step of transmitting a GPS acquisition capability field to the communications network.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of setting a simultaneous communication bit in a positioning system acquisition capability field.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the positioning system acquisition capability field is stored in the mobile device.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of transmitting to the communications network comprises the step of transmitting to a position determination entity.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the step of setting an extended period for the mobile device to provide location information comprises transmitting a preferred response quality indicator to the mobile device that has a value that corresponds to an extended period.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the indicating step is executed when the mobile device includes a capability to communicate over more than one channel simultaneously.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of employing a code division multiple access communications technology.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising the step of sending communications over a first communications channel and receiving positioning system location data over a second communications channel.

16. A method of configuring a mobile communication between a position determination entity and a mobile device, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving at the position determination entity from the mobile device an indication as to whether the mobile device has a simultaneous two channel capability;

b. if the mobile device has a simultaneous two channel capability, then setting at the position determination entity a preferred response quality indicator to a value that allows an extended period for the mobile device to provide a global positioning system-acquired location to the position determination entity; and

c. if the mobile device does not have a simultaneous two channel capability, then setting at the position determination entity the preferred response quality indicator to a value that does not allow an extended period for the mobile device to provide the global positioning system-acquired location to the position determination entity.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the step of sending audio communications over a first communications channel and receiving positioning system location data over a second communications channel.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising the steps of:

a. receiving at the position determination entity, from the mobile device, approximate location data;

b. transmitting from the position determination entity, to the mobile device, positioning system satellite search window information, indicating a search window that the mobile device is to search for at least one positioning system satellite;

c. receiving at the position determination entity, from the mobile device, satellite signal measurement data; and

d. at the position determination entity calculating and storing a location for the mobile device based on the satellite signal measurement data.

19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the step of receiving from the mobile device an indication as to whether the mobile device has a simultaneous two channel capability comprises receiving at the position determination entity a GPS acquisition capability field from the mobile device, in which the GPS acquisition capability field includes a bit that indicates simultaneous two channel capability when set.