Have I Been Pinged

[Errrrrr]

If the police get you to ring their mobile, have I been pinged? Thanks

[Tilly2]

Errrrrr.......?

[murraymints]

eh ?

[Buenchico]

I think Tilly2 and I won't be the only one's who're lost here!

The term 'ping' normally refers to a packet of data sent over the internet to check whether a particular IP address is valid. (If the address is valid the message is bounced back to the sender). As it has nothing at all to do with the mobile phone system, your question doesn't seem to make sense to me.

If you're using 'ping' in a different sense (perhaps as part of some form of urban slang which I'm unfamiliar with?) please explain what you mean.

[Tilly2]

Pingu the Penguin?

[Togo]

When the ref blows his whistle for an infringement in RU the players call it getting pinged. Errr they want a word with you, if they don't arrive at 5am in the morning it is probably not too serious.

[Errrrrr]

Errrrrr I like it Tilly and thank you guys I have no idea what I am talking about either so I was told it was a tracking device.

[scorpiojo]

How did they get you to ring their mobile?

[Errrrrr]

I gave it to them

[douglas9401]

On a point of jolly pedantry, there's no other 5am than the one in the morning. :)

[Buenchico]

The only way that you can be tracked via your mobile phone is from location data provided by your phone company.

The system needs to know where you are so that, when someone calls you, your incoming calls are directed to a mast close to you. (If everyone's calls were sent to every phone mast in the world the system wouldn't be able to cope). For that reason your phone periodically sends out a signal announcing "I'm here" to phone masts nearby. (If you've ever left a mobile phone close to a radio you've probably heard some interference whenever that signal goes out from your phone).

Your phone provider's system notes which masts have picked up that signal and directs your calls to those masts. (It actually directs your calls to a slightly wider area, as you might have been in a moving vehicle when the "I'm here" signal went out).

So, even if you're not making or receiving any calls, your phone periodically tells your phone provider (and anyone they pass the information to, such as the police) roughly where you are. However if someone wanted to know where you were at an exact time (which wasn't when your phone would normally be sending out an "I'm here" message) they need to get your phone to communicate with the local masts by sending (or possibly receiving) a call.

[Errrrrr]

Thank you for all of your answers, I will take that as a no then? and I have learnt a little about rugby too x

[Errrrrr]

Update...they don't want to talk to me and if I have not been pinged, why would they want my number, or am I being dim? (please don't answer that) when I ring the same number now it just beeps. Maybe it is just my natural charm and wit they were interested in? I would never date a man in uniform, don't ask why not.

[Zacs-Master]

I think we need to know more about the circumstances.

[Errrrrr]

I don't want to go in to all the in's and out's but I was in hospital and the police were staying with me until I had been seen, but they had to leave and they told me to ring their number.

[Zacs-Master]

They would want your number so they could tell who was calling.

[Errrrrr]

Ok thank you, this is not a question but I don't understand in that case why they ask for the number but not answer the phone!

[Errrrrr]

Oh and I do like a man in uniform don't get me wrong but something's are best left to the imagination. It's like Christmas morning when you take the wrapping off you find it wasn't what you asked for.