Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100304730 | SPACE & TIME BASED DEVICE CUSTOMIZATION - Customizing a device based on space and time (e.g., a geographic position of the device at a particular time) is disclosed. In one aspect, geographic position data of a device is obtained. Temporal data that is related to the geographic position data is obtained. An operational mode is selected based on the geographic position data and the temporal data for activation on the device. In some implementations, the operational mode identifies a communication medium. | 12-02-2010 |
20100307015 | ACCURACY INDICATIONS FOR AN ELECTRONIC COMPASS IN A PORTABLE DEVICE - Multiple instances of a geomagnetic field are calculated. Multiple instances of an average magnitude of a subset of the instances of the geomagnetic field are also calculated. When the average magnitude changes by more than a first predetermined threshold, the user is informed that compass accuracy has degraded. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 12-09-2010 |
20100307016 | Magnetometer Accuracy and Use - A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device. | 12-09-2010 |
20110054787 | Context Determination to Assist Location Determination Accuracy - A location aware device includes a navigation system and one or more environment sensors. Sensor output(s) are aggregated and used to determine a context for the location aware device. Based on the determined context, context data is generated and provided to a navigation engine where it can be used to determine a navigation solution. | 03-03-2011 |
20110077862 | Snap-to-Road Using Wireless Access Point Data - Techniques for performing more accurate snap-to-road calculations using wireless access point data are disclosed. In one aspect, a corrected location corresponding to received location data is selected from a plurality of candidate map locations based on a correspondence between the access points visible to a device and the access points visible at the corrected map location. In another aspect, road vector data is augmented with access point data, and a corrected map location is selected based on a correspondence between the access points visible to the device, and the augmented road vector data. | 03-31-2011 |
20110131825 | Magnetometer Accuracy and Use - A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device. | 06-09-2011 |
20110177826 | LOCATION DETERMINATION USING CACHED LOCATION AREA CODES - Methods, program products, and systems for location determination using cached location area codes are described. A mobile device can store a set of location area codes (LACs) of a cellular communications network on the mobile device. Each LAC can represent a location area of the cellular communications network that encompasses at least a predetermined number of cells. Each LAC can be further associated with an estimated geographic area. The estimated geographic area can be defined as a circle centered at a location and having a radius representing an uncertainty of the location. The mobile device can determine a current LAC of the mobile device based on a wirelessly received signal. The mobile device can determine a current location of the mobile device by performing a lookup in the stored set of LACs using the current LAC. | 07-21-2011 |
20110250901 | MULTI-TIER GEOFENCE DETECTION - Methods, program products, and systems for multi-tier geofence detection are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can be configured to perform a task when the mobile device enters a geographic region. The mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. | 10-13-2011 |
20120115512 | Beacon-Based Geofencing - A mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. A beacon network can provide more accurate estimates of mobile device location and advertise location based services available to the mobile device. | 05-10-2012 |
20120157158 | Magnetometer Accuracy and Use - A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device. | 06-21-2012 |
20120283977 | DYNAMIC COMPASS CALIBRATION IN A PORTABLE DEVICE - The magnitude of a sensed, raw magnetic field in a portable device is monitored over a given time interval. The monitored magnitude is compared with predetermined criteria. Based on the comparison, recalibration of a compass function is signed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 11-08-2012 |
20120307645 | SELECTING WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS FOR GEOFENCE MONITORING - Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring geofence exits using wireless access points are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, the mobile device can select, from multiple wireless access points, one or more wireless access points for monitoring a geofence. Selecting the one or more wireless access points can include determining multiple geographic regions corresponding to the geofence. The mobile device can select the one or more wireless access points based on a maximum total number of wireless access points to be selected and an access point allowance for each of the geographic regions. The access point allowance can indicate a maximum number of wireless access points to be selected for the geographic region. The mobile device can detect a potential entry or exit of the geofence by monitoring the selected one or more wireless access points using a wireless processor. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309376 | BASEBAND ON-BOARD LOCATION MONITORING - Methods, program products, and systems for baseband location monitoring and related functions are disclosed. A mobile device can monitor its own current location using its baseband subsystem and decide whether to selectively activate its application subsystem based on whether particular conditions are satisfied by the current location. The mobile device can also correlate location and cellular signal information using its baseband subsystem and provide the correlated location and cellular signal information to a server. The server can receive the correlated location and cellular signal information from the baseband subsystems of a large number of widely distributed mobile devices and generate respective profiles of cellular network base stations that transmitted the cellular signals to the mobile devices. The profiles of the cellular network base stations can be used by the server in fulfilling subsequent positioning requests from mobile devices that do not currently have the baseband location monitoring enabled. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309387 | Neighbor Cell Location Averaging - In some implementations, a location of a mobile device can be determined by calculating an average of the locations of wireless signal transmitters that have transmitted signals received by the mobile device. In some implementations, locations are weighted with coefficients and the average is a weighted average. In some implementations, the locations of the wireless signal transmitters are determined based on identification information encoded in the wireless signals received by the mobile device. The identification information can include an identifier for a wireless signal transmitter. The identification information can include characteristics of the received wireless signal that can be used to identify wireless signal transmitters. In some implementations, identification information from one signal can be combined with identification information from another signal to determine a location of a wireless transmitter. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309408 | ALTITUDE ESTIMATION USING A PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTION - Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using a probability density function are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective altitude of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. The server can calculate an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway using a probability density function of the harvested data. The probability density function can be a sufficient statistic of the received set of location coordinates for calculating an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway. The server can send the effective altitude of the wireless access gateway to other mobile devices for estimating altitudes of the other mobile devices. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309409 | MONITORING GEOFENCE EXIT - Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring geofence exits using wireless access points are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can detect one or more entry gateways that are wireless access points selected for monitoring a geofence. The mobile device can determine that the mobile device is located in the geofence based on the detection. The mobile device can monitor the entry gateways and one or more exit gateways, which can be wireless access points observable by the mobile device when the mobile device is in the geofence. When the mobile device determines, after a number of scans using a wireless processor, that the entry gateways and exit gateways are unobservable, the mobile device can use an application processor to determine whether the mobile device has exited from the geofence. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309410 | Mobile Device Location Estimation - Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using multiple wireless access gateways are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can scan and detect multiple wireless access gateways. The mobile device can determine an initial estimate of distance between the mobile device and each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can receive, from a server, location data of the detected wireless access gateways. The location data can include an estimated location of each wireless access gateway, an uncertainty of the estimated location, and a reach of each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can assign a weight to each estimated location using the uncertainty, the reach, and the initial estimate. The mobile device can estimate the location of the mobile device using the weighted locations. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309411 | STATE ESTIMATION USING MOTION CONTEXT AND MULTIPLE INPUT OBSERVATION TYPES - Techniques for estimating the current state (e.g., position, velocity) of a mobile device based on motion context and multiple input observation types are disclosed. In some implementations, an Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) formulation is used to combine multiple input observations received from a variety of sources (e.g., WiFi, cell, GPS) to compute a minimum error state estimate. In some implementations, the EKF is updated using position estimates from an active cell and/or a candidate active cell during a cell-hopping event. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309412 | Determining Motion States - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a motion state of a mobile device. Accelerometer data is received from accelerometer sensors onboard the mobile device, wherein the accelerometer data represents acceleration of the mobile device in three-dimensional space. An accelerometer signal vector representing at least a force due to gravity on the mobile device is determined. Two-dimensional accelerometer data orthogonal to the accelerometer signal vector is calculated. A motion state of the mobile device is determined based on the two-dimensional accelerometer data. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309413 | MONITORING A GEOFENCE USING WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS - Methods, program products, and systems for monitoring a geofence using wireless access points are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device receives data defining a geofence. The mobile device can select, from multiple wireless access points, one or more wireless access points for monitoring the geofence. The selected wireless access points can be monitored by a wireless processor of the mobile device. The wireless processor can detect a potential entry of the geofence when at least one of the selected one or more wireless access points is detected. Upon a detection of the potential entry of the geofence by the wireless processor, the mobile device can use an application processor of the mobile device to determine whether the mobile device entered the geofence. | 12-06-2012 |
20120309428 | Location Estimation Using a Probability Density Function - Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using a probability density function are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective location of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. The server can calculate an effective location of the wireless access gateway using a probability density function of the harvested data. The probability density function can be a sufficient statistic of the received set of location coordinates for calculating an effective location of the wireless access gateway. The server can send the effective location of the wireless access gateway to other mobile devices for estimating locations of the other mobile devices. | 12-06-2012 |
20130178230 | ALTITUDE ESTIMATION USING A PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTION - Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using a probability density function are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective altitude of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. The server can calculate an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway using a probability density function of the harvested data. The probability density function can be a sufficient statistic of the received set of location coordinates for calculating an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway. The server can send the effective altitude of the wireless access gateway to other mobile devices for estimating altitudes of the other mobile devices. | 07-11-2013 |
20130181811 | Magnetometer Accuracy and Use - A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device. | 07-18-2013 |
20130203445 | Beacon-Based Geofencing - A mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. A beacon network can provide more accurate estimates of mobile device location and advertise location based services available to the mobile device. | 08-08-2013 |
20130288718 | Operating Geographic Location Systems - In general, in one aspect, a method includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, determining, based on data received from a location system of the mobile device, that the mobile device has remained within a geographic area during a time interval, the geographic area being defined by a radius determined according to an application type of the application, and disabling at least a portion of the location system of the mobile device. | 10-31-2013 |
20130316725 | Operating Geographic Location Systems - Among other things, we describe a method that includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, receiving, from the application, a value indicating a condition for providing location data to the application, disabling a resource associated with the application, while the resource associated with the application is disabled, storing location data received from a location system of the mobile device, and when the condition indicated by the value is met, enabling the resource associated with the application, and providing the stored location data to the application. | 11-28-2013 |
20130328724 | Receive Only Mode for Clock Drift Correction - In some implementations, radio access technology (RAT) signals can be monitored and used to synchronize an internal clock of a mobile device to a network system clock without registering the mobile device to the network. In some implementations, a RAT processor can be configured to receive RAT signals and to prevent transmission of RAT signals. In some implementations, the internal clock can be associated with a GNSS processor and can be used to calculate a location of the mobile device. In some implementations, a RAT processor that is configured for a particular radio access technology can be configured to monitor signals associated with another radio access technology when synchronizing the internal clock. In some implementations, the RAT processor can monitor signals in response to a power event. The power event can be associated with powering a display of the mobile device. | 12-12-2013 |
20130346423 | Determining Location and Direction of Travel Using Map Vector Constraints - Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining the location and direction of travel of a mobile device using map vector constraints is disclosed. | 12-26-2013 |
20140045521 | Multi-Tier Geofence Detection - Methods, program products, and systems for multi-tier geofence detection are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can be configured to perform a task when the mobile device enters a geographic region. The mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. | 02-13-2014 |
20140141803 | TILING OF MAP DATA - A mobile device can send a request to a server having a plurality of tiles of location data associated with a venue, each tile having location data associated with a portion of the venue, the request including data representing an estimated location of the mobile device. The mobile device can receive a first tile of location data sent from the server, the first tile being associated with a first portion of the venue that includes the estimated location. The mobile device can receive a first sensor reading and determine a first location of the mobile device at the venue using the first sensor reading and the first tile of location data. The mobile device may receive a second tile of location data sent from the server, the second tile being associated with a second portion of the venue. The mobile device may receive a second sensor reading and determine a second location of the mobile device at the venue using the second sensor reading and the second tile of location data. | 05-22-2014 |
20140152494 | Elevation Assistance for Location Determination - In some implementations, a tightly-coupled elevation-assisted location estimate can be calculated based on digital elevation model (DEM) elevation measurements and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) data. The DEM elevation measurements and GNSS data can be provided as input to an estimator (e.g., a Kalman filter) to calculate an estimated geographic location of a mobile device. In some implementations, DEM elevation data can be filtered before being provided to the Kalman filter for estimating the geographic location of the mobile device. The DEM elevation data can be filtered in response to detecting bridge and/or tunnel events that indicate that the DEM elevation data does not accurately represent the actual elevation of the mobile device. | 06-05-2014 |
20140171068 | MANAGING STATES OF LOCATION DETERMINATION - A mobile device can be in multiple states of location determination. In each state, the mobile device can use a distinct subsystem to determine a location. A state machine of the mobile device can manage the states, including determining which state the mobile device is in and whether a transition between the states has occurred. A transition can be triggered by a sensor of the mobile device and confirmed by another sensor of the mobile device. When the state machine detects a transition, the mobile device can switch location determination from one subsystem to another subsystem, and change a map user interface to one that is best suited for the new subsystem. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171098 | LOCATION DETERMINATION USING A STATE SPACE ESTIMATOR - Methods, program products, and systems for using a location fingerprint database to determine a location of a mobile device are described. A mobile device can use location fingerprint data and readings of a sensor to obtain a location observation. The mobile device can use the location observation in a particle filter for determining a location of the mobile device at a venue. Using state of movement of the mobile device and a map of the venue, the mobile device can determine one or more candidate locations of the device. The mobile device can then update the candidate locations using a next observation, and determine a probability density function based on the candidate locations. The mobile device can then present to a user a most probable location as a current location of the device in the venue. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171114 | LOCATION DETERMINATION USING FINGERPRINT DATA - Methods, program products, and systems for using a location fingerprint database to determine a location of a mobile device are described. A mobile device can use location fingerprint data received from a server to determine a location of the mobile device at the venue. The mobile device can obtain, from a sensor of the mobile device, a vector of sensor readings, each sensor reading can measure an environment variable, e.g., a signal received by the sensor from a signal source. The mobile device can perform a statistical match between the vector and the location fingerprint data. The mobile device can then estimate a current location of the mobile device based on the statistical match. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171118 | LOCATION FINGERPRINTING - Methods, program products, and systems for using a location fingerprint database to determine a location of a mobile device are described. A mobile device can use a location fingerprint database to determine the location where GPS signals are unavailable. A server can generate location fingerprint data for the database. The server can generate the location fingerprint data using crowd sourcing, using known locations of signal sources, or both. The server can receive, from a sampling device, measurements of environment variables, e.g., signals from a signal source at one or more sampling points. The server can extrapolate, from the received measurements, estimated measurements at one or more locations in a venue. The server can store the extrapolated measurements as location fingerprint data. The server can send the location fingerprint data to a mobile device for determining a location of the mobile device when the mobile device is at the venue. | 06-19-2014 |
20140171126 | LOCATION DATA REGRESSION - A server can receive, from a mobile device, a reference location and one or more measurements of signal from signal sources. Each signal source is associated with a signal source location in a location database. The server can use the measurements and the signal source locations to validate the reference location. The server can use the validated reference location to validate the signal source locations, including detecting moved signal sources. | 06-19-2014 |
20140173521 | Shortcuts for Application Interfaces - In some implementations, a shortcut can be created that allows a user to directly access a graphical user interface or subscreen of an application. The user can view an application user interface on a mobile device and provide input to cause a shortcut to be created for invoking the application user interface. In some implementations, the user can select an application user interface shortcut to invoke the application user interface or subscreen associated with the shortcut. | 06-19-2014 |
20140206379 | Detecting Mobile Access Points - In some implementations, a method includes receiving, from a server, location data identifying locations of access points and mobile access points. A mobile device may determine an identifier of an access point within a communication range. The identifier is compared with the location data to identify parameters for the access point. The access point is determined to be a mobile access point based on the identified parameters included in the location data. In response to identifying the mobile access point, operating parameters executed by the mobile device are updated. | 07-24-2014 |
20140213294 | Reducing Location Search Space - Methods, program products, and systems for reducing a location search space are described. A mobile device, when arriving at a venue, can determine a location of the mobile device using signals from one or more signal sources associated with the venue. The mobile device can use a coarse location estimator to estimate a coarse location of the mobile device at the venue. The mobile device can request, from a server, detailed location data associated with the coarse location. The detailed location data can include location fingerprint data associated with a portion of the venue that includes the coarse location. The mobile device can determine an estimated location that has finer granularity than the coarse location using the location fingerprint data. | 07-31-2014 |
20140213298 | Tiered Delivery of Location Data - Techniques of delivering location data are described. A location server can receive, from a mobile device, a request for location data for determining a location of the mobile device at a venue. The request can include an estimated location of the mobile device. The location server can provide to the mobile device coarse location data for each venue that is located within a threshold distance to the estimated location of the mobile device. The coarse location data can include a list of coarse tiles at each venue, and parameters of a probability distribution function for determining in which tile of the venue the mobile device is located based on signals detected by the mobile device. The location server can the provide location fingerprint data associated with the tile and neighboring tiles to the mobile device. The mobile can use the location fingerprint data to determine a more detailed location. | 07-31-2014 |
20140213299 | Survey Techniques for Generating Location Fingerprint Data - Surveying techniques for generating location fingerprint data are described. A mobile device can survey a venue by measuring, at multiple locations at the venue, signals from one or more signal sources. At each location, the mobile device can take multiple measurements of signals. The mobile device can take each measurement at a distinct orientation. The measurements can be used to determine expected measurements of the signals at the venue. Differences between the multiple measurements of signals can be used to determine a variance of the expected measurements. The expected measurements and variance can be designated as location fingerprint data for the venue. The location fingerprint data can be used by mobile devices for determining a location at the venue. | 07-31-2014 |
20140256306 | Operating Geographic Location Systems - Among other things, we describe a method that includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, receiving, from the application, a value indicating a condition for providing location data to the application, disabling a resource associated with the application, while the resource associated with the application is disabled, storing location data received from a location system of the mobile device, and when the condition indicated by the value is met, enabling the resource associated with the application, and providing the stored location data to the application. | 09-11-2014 |
20140274150 | PROXIMITY FENCE - A proximity fence can be a location-agnostic fence defined by signal sources having no geographic location information. The proximity fence can correspond to a group of signal sources instead of a point location fixed to latitude and longitude coordinates. A signal source can be a radio frequency (RF) transmitter broadcasting a beacon signal. The beacon signal can include a payload that includes an identifier indicating a category to which the signal source belongs, and one or more labels indicating one or more subcategories to which the signal source belongs. The proximity fence defined by the group of signal sources can trigger different functions of application programs associated with the proximity fence on a mobile device, when the mobile device moves within the proximity fence and enters and exits different parts of the proximity fence corresponding to the different subcategories. | 09-18-2014 |
20140325858 | Magnetometer Accuracy and Use - A parameter related to the Earth's magnetic field can be used to determine accuracy of a magnetometer of a mobile device. In one aspect, a first instance of a parameter related to Earth's magnetic field is determined using data generated by the magnetometer. The magnetometer data can be based in part on a position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. A second instance of the parameter can be determined using data generated by a model of Earth's magnetic field. The model data can also be based in part on the position of the mobile device with respect to the Earth. The first instance of the parameter can be compared with the second instance of the parameter. An accuracy metric for the magnetometer can be determined based on a result of the comparison. An indication of the accuracy metric can be presented by the mobile device. | 11-06-2014 |
20140364103 | NON-INTRUSIVE REGION NOTIFICATION - Techniques of non-intrusive region notification are described. A mobile device can be programmed to trigger an application program when the mobile device enters or exits a region. The region can be defined by various virtual fencing technologies. If, at the time of entry or exit of a region, the mobile device is in a power-saving operating mode, the mobile device can transition to an active operating mode temporarily, register a fence-crossing event (entry or exit of the region) with the application program, and then transition back to the power-saving operating mode. The mobile device can launch the registered application program in response to the mobile device receiving a user input to enter the active operating mode. The application program can provide a user interface associated with the region on a display surface of the mobile device in place of a home screen or other user interface. | 12-11-2014 |
20140364138 | UTILIZING MOBILE WIRELESS ACCESS GATEWAYS FOR LOCATION AND CONTEXT PURPOSES - Methods, program products, and systems of using a mobile WAP for location and context purposes are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective location of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. In some implementations, the server can identify a mobile wireless access gateway based on a distance comparison. Data indicating the mobility of a wireless access gateway can be used by a mobile device to initiate one or more actions, including managing power of the mobile device, modifying entrance and exit conditions of virtual fences and determining a context of the mobile device. | 12-11-2014 |
20140364144 | ALTITUDE ESTIMATION USING A PROBABILITY DENSITY FUNCTION - Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using a probability density function are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective altitude of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. The server can calculate an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway using a probability density function of the harvested data. The probability density function can be a sufficient statistic of the received set of location coordinates for calculating an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway. The server can send the effective altitude of the wireless access gateway to other mobile devices for estimating altitudes of the other mobile devices. | 12-11-2014 |