| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20080248741 | TIME DIFFERENCE OF ARRIVAL BASED ESTIMATION OF DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - Methods of estimating the bearing of a WLAN-enabled device are provided. A method of estimating a bearing of a WLAN-enabled device includes estimating a speed and geographic location of the device and receiving signals transmitted by an access point, including a first message and a second message. The method further includes accessing a database to determine the geographic location of the access point, determining an actual time of arrival value of the second message, and determining a time difference of arrival value for the second message based on the actual time of arrival of the second message and an expected time of arrival of the second message, which is based on an actual arrival time of the first message. Estimating the bearing of the device is based on the estimated speed and location of the device, the time difference of arrival value, and the location of the access point. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080248808 | ESTIMATION OF POSITION, SPEED AND BEARING USING TIME DIFFERENCE OF ARRIVAL AND RECEIVED SIGNAL STRENGTH IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - A method of estimating the speed of a WLAN-enabled device in a WLAN positioning system is provided. A method of estimating a speed of travel of a WLAN-enabled device includes the WLAN-enabled device receiving signals transmitted by a WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device. The signals include a first message and a second message. The method also includes estimating an expected time of arrival of the second message based on an actual arrival time of the first message and determining an actual time of arrival value of the second message. The method further includes determining a time difference of arrival value for the second message based on the actual time of arrival of the second message and the expected time of arrival of the second message and estimating the speed of travel of the WLAN-enabled device based on the time difference of arrival value. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20090075672 | SERVER FOR UPDATING LOCATION BEACON DATABASE - A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to reduce arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, Wi-Fi identity information and GPS location information is detected. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090149197 | CONTINUOUS DATA OPTIMIZATION OF NEW ACCESS POINTS IN POSITIONING SYSTEMS - Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point is newly-observed. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves. A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. Observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location are identified. The recorded location information for each of the observed WiFi access points is used to calculate the position of the WiFi-enabled device. The reference database is informed of the WiFi access points (for which there was no information in the database) and is provided the calculated position in conjunction therewith. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090154371 | ESTIMATION OF POSITION USING WLAN ACCESS POINT RADIO PROPAGATION CHARACTERISTICS IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - A method for estimating position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN location based service is provided. A location-based services system has a plurality of Wi-Fi access points in a target area. The Wi-Fi access points are positioned at geographic locations and have signal coverage areas. A method of characterizing at least one of the Wi-Fi access points comprises determining the geographic location of the Wi-Fi access point, dividing the signal coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point into at least one section, and determining radio propagation characteristics for each section. The radio propagation characteristics of each section characterize a radio channel of the Wi-Fi access point, and the characterization can be used in a location algorithm. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090175189 | CALCULATION OF QUALITY OF WLAN ACCESS POINT CHARACTERIZATION FOR USE IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - Methods and systems for classifying WLAN access points according to the quality of estimation of characteristics of the WLAN access points are provided. The classifications may be used to scale a reference database and quantify an expected error of estimation of the characteristics of the access points. WLAN access points may be classified based on their impact on a user's position, speed of travel, and direction of travel estimation accuracy in a WLAN positioning system. A method for determining a quality of estimation of characteristics of a Wi-Fi access point comprises a Wi-Fi enabled scanning device measuring a number of received signal strength (RSS) samples of the Wi-Fi signal transmitted by the Wi-Fi access point. A total distance traveled by the Wi-Fi enabled scanning device while measuring the number of RSS samples is estimated and used to estimate the quality of estimation of characteristics of the Wi-Fi access point. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090252138 | ESTIMATION OF SPEED AND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE POSITION ESTIMATIONS - A method for estimating the speed and bearing of a Wi-Fi enabled device using WLAN radio signals in a WLAN based location service is provided. A method used to estimate a speed of travel of a Wi-Fi enabled device comprises the Wi-Fi enabled device receiving signals transmitted by Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi enabled device, and using the signals to estimate the speed of and/or direction of travel of the Wi-Fi enabled device. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090303112 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REFINING A WLAN-PS ESTIMATED LOCATION USING SATELLITE MEASUREMENTS IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes a system and method for refining a WLAN-PS estimated location using satellite measurements. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a method of determining the location of a WLAN and satellite enabled device by using two or more satellite measurements to refine an initial WLAN based location determination. The method can include estimating a position of the WLAN and satellite enabled device using a WLAN positioning system, gathering satellite location measurements from at least two satellites, determining an uncertainty area around the WLAN location estimate based on the expected error of the WLAN location estimate, wherein the uncertainty area has a plurality of possible location solutions, and determining the device location estimate inside the WLAN location uncertainty that best satisfies the satellite measurements. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303113 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF EXPECTED ERROR ESTIMATION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes methods and systems for improving the accuracy of expected error estimation in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method of determining an expected error in a location determination of a WLAN and satellite enabled device can include determining a WLAN location estimate and an expected error estimate for the WLAN location estimate, obtaining measurements from at least two satellites, and determining the expected error of the location determination by evaluating the consistency of the satellite positioning system measurements to the WLAN positioning system location estimation. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303114 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A HYBRID SATELLITE AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST WLAN-PS SOLUTION - This disclosure describes a method and system for determining location using a hybrid satellite and WLAN positioning system by selecting the best WLAN-PS solution. In some embodiments, the method of increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using satellite positioning information can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and satellite enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining satellite information for the WLAN and satellite enabled device from at least two different satellites, and using the satellite information from the at least two different satellites to determine the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303115 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR STATIONARY USER DETECTION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes methods and systems for stationary user detection in a hybrid location system. In some embodiments, the method for determining whether a satellite enabled device is stationary by measuring the Doppler frequency of received satellite signals can include acquiring satellite measurements from at least two satellites, wherein the satellite measurements include Doppler frequency measurements, acquiring a rough estimate of location of the satellite enabled device and calculating an internal frequency offset of satellite enabled device. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303119 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes systems and methods for using environmental information in a hybrid positioning system. Some embodiments relate to a method for determining the position of a WLAN and satellite positioning system enabled device using characteristics of the environment in which the device is located, the method can include detecting WLAN APs in range of the device, obtaining environmental characteristics from a reference database based on the WLAN APs detected by the device, and determining whether to use the WLAN or satellite positioning system based on the environmental characteristics. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303120 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING POSITION USING A WLAN-PS ESTIMATED POSITION AS AN INITIAL POSITION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes a method and system for determining position using a WLAN-PS estimated position as an initial position. In some embodiments, the method can include calculating a WLAN position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and using the WLAN position estimate as an initial position in satellite position system to determine the location of the WLAN and satellite enabled device. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090303121 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO FILTER WLAN ACCESS POINTS IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes a system and method for using a satellite positioning system to filter WLAN access points in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method can include detecting WLAN APs in range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites to provide a plurality of possible satellite locations of the device, and providing a weight for each AP based on the distance from the WLAN APs to the possible satellite locations of the device. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090310585 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A CELLULAR AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST WLAN PS SOLUTION - The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using cellular positioning information. In some embodiments, the method can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and cellular enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining cellular measurements from at least one cell tower, and determining the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions using the cellular measurements. In one embodiment, the method can include using the cellular measurements from the at least one cell tower to provide a cellular based location estimate for the WLAN and cellular enabled device. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090312035 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A CELLULAR AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST CELLULAR POSITIONING SYSTEM SOLUTION - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for determining the location of a WLAN and cellular position system enabled device using a WLAN position estimate to select the best cellular positioning system location. The method can include estimating a position of the WLAN and cellular enabled device using a WLAN positioning system and an expected error estimate for the WLAN based position estimate, determining a set of possible cellular based position estimates for the WLAN and cellular enabled device using cellular measurements obtained from at least one cell tower, determining an uncertainty area around the WLAN location estimate based on the expected error of the WLAN location estimate, and determining the device location by selecting cellular based location estimates located within the uncertainty area. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090312036 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF EXPECTED ERROR ESTIMATION IN LOCATION DETERMINATIONS USING A HYBRID CELLULAR AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for improving the accuracy of expected error estimations in hybrid cellular and WLAN location determination. In some embodiments, the method can include providing a WLAN based location estimate and an expected error estimate for the WLAN based location estimate, providing a cellular based location estimate and an expected error estimate for the cellular based location estimate, and determining the expected error of the location determination by evaluating the consistency of the cellular based location estimate to the WLAN based location estimate. In some embodiments, the location estimate with the lower expected error can be selected as the location determination of the WLAN and cellular enabled device. In some embodiments, the consistency of the estimates can include the distance between the cellular based location estimate and the WLAN based location estimate. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20100052983 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAINTAINING CLOCK BIAS ACCURACY IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes systems and methods for maintaining clock bias accuracy in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method to maintain the stability of an internal clock of an satellite positioning system receiver by using WLAN access points (APs) can include maintaining the internal clock accuracy of a satellite positioning system receiver by using one or more WLAN APs as a reference. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20110012780 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110012784 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A HYBRID SATELLITE AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST SPS MEASUREMENTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods, more specifically, systems and methods of integrating a wireless local area network (WLAN) based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite positioning system (SPS) to improve accuracy of location estimates by selecting the best set of measurements from both systems. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110021207 | System and Method for Estimating Positioning Error Within a WLAN-Based Positioning System - The invention features a method of estimating an expected error of a position estimate for use in a WLAN positioning system that estimates the position of a WLAN-enabled device. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by at least one WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device, and a position of the WLAN-enabled device is estimated based on the received signals from the at least one WLAN access point in range. A signal strength value is measured for the signals transmitted by the at least one WLAN access point, and a maximum signal strength value is determined. The method also estimates an expected error of the position estimate based on the maximum signal strength value of the signals transmitted by the at least one WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device. The expected error predicts a relative accuracy of the position estimate. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110035420 | Location Beacon Database - A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to avoid arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, periodically receive the GPS coordinates of the GPS device. While traversing the target area, detecting Wi-Fi signals from Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi device and recording identity information of the detected Wi-Fi access point in conjunction with GPS location information of the vehicle when the detection of the Wi-Fi access point was made. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. | 02-10-2011 |
| 20110045840 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING RANGE OF MOBILE DEVICE TO WIRELESS INSTALLATION - A method of and system for estimating the range of a mobile device to a wireless installation is disclosed. A method of estimating the position of a mobile device includes receiving signals transmitted by fixed-position wireless communication stations in range of a mobile device. One of the wireless communication stations from which signals are received by the mobile device is designated as a serving station and location information is retrieved for said serving station and at least one other neighboring station from which signals are received. For each of the at least one other neighboring stations, a corresponding distance between the serving station and said neighboring station is determined based on the location information. A position of the mobile device is estimated based on the location information for the serving station and said neighboring stations and further based on the distances between the serving station and said neighboring stations. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110058495 | Estimation of Speed and Direction of Travel in a WLAN Positioning System - A method for estimating the speed and bearing of a Wi-Fi enabled device using WLAN radio signals in a WLAN based location service is provided. A method used to estimate a speed of travel of a Wi-Fi enabled device comprises the Wi-Fi enabled device receiving signals transmitted by Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi enabled device, and using the signals to estimate the speed of and/or direction of travel of the Wi-Fi enabled device. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110074626 | IMPROVEMENT OF THE ACCURACY AND PERFORMANCE OF A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - The present disclosure relates to a method for determining the position of a WLAN positioning system (WPS) and satellite positioning system (SPS) enabled device. The method can include determining an initial WPS position of the device using WPS, calculating an error region around the initial WPS position of the device, dividing the error region into a plurality of points, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites in view of the device, determining a variation in a receiver clock bias for each point within the error region based on the satellite measurements from at least two satellites, selecting the point with the lowest variation in the receiver clock bias, and determining whether or not to use the point with the lowest variation in receiver clock bias to refine the initial WPS position of the device. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110080317 | METHOD OF DETERMINING POSITION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM USING A DILUTION OF PRECISION METRIC - The disclosed subject matter relates to a method for determining the position of a device in a hybrid positioning system. The method includes determining an initial position estimate of a device using a non-satellite positioning system, obtaining satellite measurements from less than four satellites, wherein the measurements include each satellite's position with respect to the initial position estimate, determining a dilution of precision (DOP) based on the satellite measurements, if the DOP is small, refining the initial position estimate using the satellite measurements, and if the DOP is large, providing the initial estimate as a final position estimate for the device. In some embodiments, the non-satellite positioning system is a WLAN positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes obtaining satellite measurements from two satellites or three satellites. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080318 | Determining A Dilution of Precision Metric Using Two or Three GPS Satellites - The disclosed subject matter relates to a method for determining a Dilution of Precision Metric (DOP) with less than four satellites in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method includes determining an initial position estimate of a device using a non-satellite positioning system, obtaining satellite measurements from less than four satellites, wherein the measurements include each satellite's position with respect to the initial position estimate, constructing a geometry matrix corresponding to the measurements from the less than four satellites using each satellite's position and the initial position estimate, multiplying the geometry matrix by its transpose to construct an H matrix, determining an inverse of the H matrix, and determining the DOP based on a sum of the diagonal elements of the inverse H matrix. In some embodiments, the non-satellite positioning system is a WLAN positioning system. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110080841 | System and Method for Estimating Positioning Error within a WLAN-Based Positioning System - The invention features a method of estimating an expected error of a position estimate for use in a WLAN positioning system that estimates the position of a WLAN-enabled device. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by a WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device. The method estimates the position of the WLAN-enabled device based on the received signals from the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device. The method also estimates an expected error of the position estimate based on characteristics of the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device, wherein the expected error predicts a relative accuracy of the position estimate. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110093443 | Access Point Database - A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to avoid arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, periodically receive the GPS coordinates of the GPS device. While traversing the target area, detecting Wi-Fi signals from Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi device and recording identity information of the detected Wi-Fi access point in conjunction with GPS location information of the vehicle when the detection of the Wi-Fi access point was made. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110164522 | Estimation of Position Using WLAN Access Point Radio Propagation Characteristics in a WLAN Positioning System - A method for estimating position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN location based service is provided. A location-based services system has a plurality of Wi-Fi access points in a target area. The Wi-Fi access points are positioned at geographic locations and have signal coverage areas. A method of characterizing at least one of the Wi-Fi access points comprises determining the geographic location of the Wi-Fi access point, dividing the signal coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point into at least one section, and determining radio propagation characteristics for each section. The radio propagation characteristics of each section characterize a radio channel of the Wi-Fi access point, and the characterization can be used in a location algorithm. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20110235532 | System and Method for Resolving Multiple Location Estimate Conflicts in a WLAN-Positioning System - Methods of and systems for resolving multiple location estimate conflicts in a WLAN-positioning system are provided. Disclosed are methods to quantify the probability that a particular location estimate of a mobile device made by a Wi-Fi based positioning system is correct to within an arbitrary accuracy. Implementations use observed access point cluster size, age information for access point location determination, and/or cumulative distribution functions that characterize the conditional probability that one or more access points detected by the mobile device have relocated within a specified time interval to make the probability determinations. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235623 | System and Method for Estimating the Probability of Movement of Access Points in a WLAN-based Positioning System - Methods of and systems for estimating the probability of movement of access points in a WLAN-based positioning system are provided. Disclosed are methods to quantify the probability that a particular location estimate of a mobile device made by a Wi-Fi based positioning system is correct to within an arbitrary accuracy. Implementations use observed access point cluster size, age information for access point location determination, and/or the probability that one or more access points detected by the mobile device have relocated based on historic information about the movement of a collection of access points to make the probability determinations. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110287783 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING POSITIONING ERROR WITHIN A WLAN-BASED POITIONING SYSTEM - The invention features a method of estimating an expected error of a position estimate for use in a WLAN positioning system that estimates the position of a WLAN-enabled device. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by a WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device. The method estimates the position of the WLAN-enabled device based on the received signals from the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device. The method also estimates an expected error of the position estimate based on characteristics of the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device, wherein the expected error predicts a relative accuracy of the position estimate. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110298659 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO FILTER WLAN ACCESS POINTS IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - This disclosure describes a system and method for using a satellite positioning system to filter WLAN access points in a hybrid positioning system. In some embodiments, the method can include detecting WLAN APs in range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites to provide a plurality of possible satellite locations of the device, and providing a weight for each AP based on the distance from the WLAN APs to the possible satellite locations of the device. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298660 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298663 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110298664 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110306357 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF DETERMINING LIKELIHOOD OF ATYPICAL TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF REFERENCE POINTS IN A POSITIONING SYSTEM - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of atypical transmission characteristics of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits signal transmission characteristics atypical of a wireless device of a type matching the designated device includes determining reference points associated with the designated device, which are a geographic position at which signals from the designated device were detected and/or another wireless device from which signals were also detected by a receiver within a selected period of time during which the signals from the designated device were detected. The method also includes determining statistical measures of a spatial distribution of the reference points and determining a measure of likelihood that the designated device exhibits signal transmission characteristics that are atypical of a wireless device of a type matching the designated device based on the statistical measures. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306358 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF DETERMINING LIKELIHOOD OF REFERENCE POINT IDENTITY DUPLICATION IN A POSITIONING SYSTEM - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of reference point identity duplication in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated identifier is shared by wireless devices includes determining reference points associated with any wireless device having a designated identifier. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from any of the wireless devices were detected and/or wireless devices from which signals were also detected within a selected period of time during which the signals from any of the wireless devices having the designated identifier were detected. The method also includes determining statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points and determining a measure of likelihood that the designated identifier is shared by wireless devices is based on the statistical information. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306359 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF DETERMINING LIKELIHOOD OF RELOCATION OF REFERENCE POINTS IN A POSITIONING SYSTEM - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of relocation of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location of a designated wireless device is not its accurate present location includes determining a set of reference points associated with the device, which are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or other devices having a relationship with the designated device. The existence of the relationship is based on the devices being within signal reception range of a same position within a selected period of time. The method includes retrieving attributes of the reference points and/or of the relationships and determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location associated with the designated device is not its present location based on the attributes of the reference points of the set and/or of the relationships. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306360 | SYSTEMS FOR AND METHODS OF DETERMINING LIKELIHOOD OF MOBILITY OF REFERENCE POINTS IN A POSITIONING SYSTEM - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of mobility of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device is a mobile device includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or another wireless device from which signals were also detected by a receiver within a selected period of time during which the signals from the designated device were detected. The method also includes retrieving statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points. The method includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device is a mobile wireless device based on the statistical information. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110306361 | METHODS OF AND SYSTEMS FOR MEASURING BEACON STABILITY OF WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS - Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110317579 | SERVER FOR UPDATING LOCATION BEACON DATABASE - A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to reduce arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, Wi-Fi identity information and GPS location information is detected. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120007775 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120100872 | ESTIMATION OF SPEED AND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - A method for estimating the speed and bearing of a Wi-Fi enabled device using WLAN radio signals in a WLAN based location service is provided. A method used to estimate a speed of travel of a Wi-Fi enabled device comprises the Wi-Fi enabled device receiving signals transmitted by Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi enabled device, and using the signals to estimate the speed of and/or direction of travel of the Wi-Fi enabled device. | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120108260 | Method of and System for Estimating Temporal Demographics of Mobile Users - A method of and system for estimating temporal demographics of mobile users is disclosed. A method of estimating demographic information associated with a selected geographical area includes, for at least one individual, determining a selected geographical area along a portion of a track of travel of the individual and determining demographic information associated with the at least one individual. The method also includes estimating a ratio of individuals transiting into the area versus individuals that are residents of the area and estimating demographic information associated with the area based on the estimated ratio and based on demographic information associated with the at least one individual. | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120112958 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR INCREASING THE RELIABILITY AND ACCURACY OF LOCATION ESTIMATION IN A HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - Methods and systems of hybrid positioning are provided for increasing the reliability and accuracy of location estimation. According to embodiments of the invention, the quality of reported locations from specific sources of location is assessed. Satellite and non-satellite positioning systems provide initial positioning estimates. For each positioning system relevant information is collected and based on the collected information each system is assigned appropriate weight. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120178477 | CONTINUOUS DATA OPTIMIZATION OF NEW ACCESS POINTS IN POSITIONING SYSTEMS - Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point is newly-observed. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves. A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. Observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location are identified. The recorded location information for each of the observed WiFi access points is used to calculate the position of the WiFi-enabled device. The reference database is informed of the WiFi access points (for which there was no information in the database) and is provided the calculated position in conjunction therewith. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120196621 | Estimation of Position Using WLAN Access Point Radio Propagation Characteristics in a WLAN Positioning System - A method for estimating position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN location based service is provided. A location-based services system has a plurality of Wi-Fi access points in a target area. The Wi-Fi access points are positioned at geographic locations and have signal coverage areas. A method of characterizing at least one of the Wi-Fi access points comprises determining the geographic location of the Wi-Fi access point, dividing the signal coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point into at least one section, and determining radio propagation characteristics for each section. The radio propagation characteristics of each section characterize a radio channel of the Wi-Fi access point, and the characterization can be used in a location algorithm. | 08-02-2012 |
| 20120230313 | System and Method of Passive and Active Scanning of WLAN-Enabled Access Points to Estimate Position of a WLAN Positioning Device - Systems and methods of passive and active scanning of WLAN-enabled access points to estimate position of a WLAN positioning device. A device estimates the position of itself. The device includes a WLAN radio module for receiving WLAN signals, extraction logic for extracting information from said received WLAN signals to identify the WLAN APs, and logic to cooperate with a WLAN-based positioning system. The WLAN radio module includes a phase for active scanning of WLAN APs in range of said device and a phase of passive scanning of WLAN APs in range of said device, and the passive scanning phase scans only a pre-determined and selected subset of WLAN channels. Under certain embodiments, the WLAN radio module includes a passive scanning phase that simultaneously scans multiple WLAN channels. | 09-13-2012 |
| 20120280866 | Systems and Methods for Using a Satellite Positioning System to Detect Moved WLAN Access Points - The disclosed subject matter generally relates to hybrid positioning systems and methods and, more specifically, systems and methods of detecting moved WLAN assess points using a wireless local area network based positioning system (WLAN-PS) and a satellite-based positioning system (SPS) with at least two satellites measurement. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120309420 | Continuous Data Optimization of Moved Access Points in Positioning Systems - Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point has moved relative to its previously recorded location. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves; A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. The recorded location information is used for each of the observed WiFi access points in conjunction with predefined rules to infer whether an observed WiFi access point has moved relative to its recorded location. The reference database is informed of the identity of any observed WiFi access point that is inferred to have moved. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120331561 | Method of and Systems for Privacy Preserving Mobile Demographic Measurement of Individuals, Groups and Locations Over Time and Space - Disclosed are techniques for privacy preserving mobile demographic measurement of individuals, groups, and locations over time and space. A method of estimating demographic information associated with a user of a mobile device and/or a location while preserving the privacy of the user based at least in part on a location estimate of the mobile device of the user includes receiving an estimated geographical location of the mobile device of the user and receiving a time at which the mobile device was at the estimated geographical location. The method includes assigning substitute identifiers for the geographical location and the time at which the mobile device was at the estimated geographical location. The method includes associating the geographical areas substitute identifiers with demographic information and estimating demographic information associated with the user of the mobile device based on the substitute identifiers and based on the demographic information associated with substitute identifiers. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130072227 | Continuous Data Optimization of Moved Access Points in Positioning Systems - Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point has moved relative to its previously recorded location. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves; A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. The recorded location information is used for each of the observed WiFi access points in conjunction with predefined rules to infer whether an observed WiFi access point has moved relative to its recorded location. The reference database is informed of the identity of any observed WiFi access point that is inferred to have moved. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130076569 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GATHERING WLAN PACKET SAMPLES TO IMPROVE POSITION ESTIMATES OF WLAN POSITIONING DEVICE - In one embodiment, techniques are employed to estimate a position of a wireless local area network (WLAN) enabled mobile device. The mobile device sniffs one or more WLAN packets destined for one or more WLAN devices other than the mobile device. Information identifying one or more WLAN APs is extracted from the one or more WLAN packets destined for the one or more WLAN devices other than the mobile device. A record of the one or more WLAN APs is generated that includes at least some of the extracted information. A WLAN positioning system (WPS) is cooperated with, to use the generated record of the one or more WLAN APs to obtain an estimate of a position of the mobile device. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130184003 | LOCATION-BASED SERVICES THAT CHOOSE LOCATION ALGORITHMS BASED ON NUMBER OF DETECTED ACCESS POINTS WITHIN RANGE OF USER DEVICE - In one embodiment, in response to a user application request to determine a location of a user-device having a Wi-Fi radio, the Wi-Fi radio is triggered to transmit a request to Wi-Fi access points within range. Messages are received from the Wi-Fi access points, each message identifying the Wi-Fi access point sending the message. Signal strength of the messages received from the Wi-Fi access points is calculated. A reference database of stored locations for Wi-Fi access points in a target area is accessed to obtain the stored locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points. Based on the number of the identified Wi-Fi access points identified via received messages, a corresponding location-determination algorithm is chosen from a plurality of location-determination algorithms. The location of the user-device is determined using the stored locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points, the signal strengths of the received messages and the chosen location-determination algorithm. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130217390 | Method and System for Estimating Range of Mobile Device to Wireless Installation - A method of and system for estimating the range of a mobile device to a wireless installation is disclosed. A method of estimating the position of a mobile device includes receiving signals transmitted by fixed-position wireless communication stations in range of a mobile device. One of the wireless communication stations from which signals are received by the mobile device is designated as a serving station and location information is retrieved for said serving station and at least one other neighboring station from which signals are received. For each of the at least one other neighboring stations, a corresponding distance between the serving station and said neighboring station is determined based on the location information. A position of the mobile device is estimated based on the location information for the serving station and said neighboring stations and further based on the distances between the serving station and said neighboring stations. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130241776 | TECHNIQUE FOR USING CACHED INFORMATION WITH A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM TO OBTAIN AN ESTIMATE OF A POSITION OF A MOBILE DEVICE - In one embodiment, techniques are employed to estimate a position of a wireless local area network (WLAN) enabled mobile device. The mobile device receives one or more wireless local area network (WLAN) packets transmitted within a range of the mobile device. The mobile device extracts information from the one or more WLAN packets to identify one or more WLAN access points (APs), and caches information indicating an identity of the one or more WLAN APs and a time of detection of the one or more WLAN APs. Subsequent to the caching, a request may be received for a position estimate of the mobile device. In response to the subsequently-received request for the position estimate, the cached information is provided to a WLAN positioning system (WPS) to obtain an estimate of a position of the mobile device. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130252631 | Methods and Systems of Assigning Estimated Positions and Attributes to Wireless Access Points in a Positioning System - Method of and systems for assigning estimated positions and attributes to wireless access points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of estimating a characteristic of a wireless beacon includes receiving a set of data points. Each data point contains information about characteristics of a wireless beacon. The method also includes dividing at least one dimension into a set of regions in which each region of the set has region boundaries that do not overlap with other regions. The method further includes associating each data point with one corresponding region based on at least one element of the information of the data point lying within the boundaries of the corresponding region and determining an aggregate characteristic for each region based on the information of the data points associated with the corresponding region. The method estimates a characteristic of the wireless beacon based on at least one aggregate characteristic. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130288708 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A CELLULAR AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST WLAN PS SOLUTION - The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using cellular positioning information. In some embodiments, the method can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and cellular enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining cellular measurements from at least one cell tower, and determining the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions using the cellular measurements. In one embodiment, the method can include using the cellular measurements from the at least one cell tower to provide a cellular based location estimate for the WLAN and cellular enabled device. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130310064 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SELECTING AND PROVIDING A RELEVANT SUBSET OF WI-FI LOCATION INFORMATION TO A MOBILE CLIENT DEVICE SO THE CLIENT DEVICE MAY ESTIMATE ITS POSITION WITH EFFICIENT UTILIZATION OF RESOURCES - A method of providing a relevant subset of information to a client device is based in part on scanning for Wi-Fi access points within range of the client device, using a Wi-Fi database that covers a large target region to retrieve information about these access points, using this information to estimate the position of the mobile client device, selecting a limited region in the vicinity of the estimated location of the client device, and providing information about Wi-Fi access points within this limited region to the client. For efficient transfer and maintenance of data, the target region may be divided into a hierarchy of fixed geographical tiles. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130340095 | Method of and Systems for Privacy Preserving Mobile Demographic Measurement of Individuals, Groups and Locations Over Time and Space - Disclosed are techniques for privacy preserving mobile demographic measurement of individuals, groups, and locations over time and space. A method of estimating demographic information associated with a user of a mobile device and/or a location while preserving the privacy of the user based at least in part on a location estimate of the mobile device of the user includes receiving an estimated geographical location of the mobile device of the user and receiving a time at which the mobile device was at the estimated geographical location. The method includes assigning substitute identifiers for the geographical location and the time at which the mobile device was at the estimated geographical location. The method includes associating the geographical areas substitute identifiers with demographic information and estimating demographic information associated with the user of the mobile device based on the substitute identifiers and based on the demographic information associated with substitute identifiers. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140045525 | METHODS OF AND SYSTEMS FOR MEASURING BEACON STABILITY OF WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS - Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140049424 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USING A SATELLITE POSITIONING SYSTEM TO DETECT MOVED WLAN ACCESS POINTS - In one embodiment, an area in which a mobile device may be located is determined using a satellite-based positioning system (SPS). An area in which the mobile device may be located is determined using a wireless local area network based positioning system(WLAN-PS). The area determined using the SPS is compared to the area determined using the WLAN-PS. In response to the area determined using the SPS being remote from the area determined using the WLAN-PS, it is concluded that the one or more WLAN APs have been moved to be about the area determined using the SPS. One or more locations of the one or more WLAN APs are updated in the reference database. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140080510 | CONTINUOUS DATA OPTIMIZATION OF MOVED ACCESS POINTS IN POSITIONING SYSTEMS - Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point has moved relative to its previously recorded location. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves; A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. The recorded location information is used for each of the observed WiFi access points in conjunction with predefined rules to infer whether an observed WiFi access point has moved relative to its recorded location. The reference database is informed of the identity of any observed WiFi access point that is inferred to have moved. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140135033 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETERMINING LOCATION USING A CELLULAR AND WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM BY SELECTING THE BEST WLAN PS SOLUTION - The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using cellular positioning information. In some embodiments, the method can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and cellular enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining cellular measurements from at least one cell tower, and determining the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions using the cellular measurements. In one embodiment, the method can include using the cellular measurements from the at least one cell tower to provide a cellular based location estimate for the WLAN and cellular enabled device. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140160963 | ESTIMATION OF SPEED AND DIRECTION OF TRAVEL IN A WLAN POSITIONING SYSTEM - A method for estimating the speed and bearing of a Wi-Fi enabled device using WLAN radio signals in a WLAN based location service is provided. A method used to estimate a speed of travel of a Wi-Fi enabled device comprises the Wi-Fi enabled device receiving signals transmitted by Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi enabled device, and using the signals to estimate the speed of and/or direction of travel of the Wi-Fi enabled device. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140187169 | System and Method for Estimating the Probability of Movement of Access Points in a WLAN-based Positioning System - Methods of and systems for estimating the probability of movement of access points in a WLAN-based positioning system are provided. Disclosed are methods to quantify the probability that a particular location estimate of a mobile device made by a Wi-Fi based positioning system is correct to within an arbitrary accuracy. Implementations use observed access point cluster size, age information for access point location determination, and/or the probability that one or more access points detected by the mobile device have relocated based on historic information about the movement of a collection of access points to make the probability determinations. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140221015 | METHOD OF AND SYSTEM FOR ESTIMATING TEMPORAL DEMOGRAPHICS OF MOBILE USERS - A method of and system for estimating temporal demographics of mobile users is disclosed. A method of estimating demographic information associated with a selected geographical area includes, for at least one individual, determining a selected geographical area along a portion of a track of travel of the individual and determining demographic information associated with the at least one individual. The method also includes estimating a ratio of individuals transiting into the area versus individuals that are residents of the area and estimating demographic information associated with the area based on the estimated ratio and based on demographic information associated with the at least one individual. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140248902 | Systems for and Methods of Determining Likelihood of Reference Point Identity Duplication in a Positioning System - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of reference point identity duplication in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated identifier is shared by wireless devices includes determining reference points associated with any wireless device having a designated identifier. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from any of the wireless devices were detected and/or wireless devices from which signals were also detected within a selected period of time during which the signals from any of the wireless devices having the designated identifier were detected. The method also includes determining statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points and determining a measure of likelihood that the designated identifier is shared by wireless devices is based on the statistical information. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20140256349 | Systems for and Methods of Determining Likelihood of Relocation of Reference Points in a Positioning System - Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of relocation of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location of a designated wireless device is not its accurate present location includes determining a set of reference points associated with the device, which are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or other devices having a relationship with the designated device. The existence of the relationship is based on the devices being within signal reception range of a same position within a selected period of time. The method includes retrieving attributes of the reference points and/or of the relationships and determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location associated with the designated device is not its present location based on the attributes of the reference points of the set and/or of the relationships. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140306842 | ACCURACY AND PERFORMANCE OF THE HYBRID POSITIONING SYSTEM - The present disclosure relates to a method for determining the position of a WLAN positioning system (WPS) and satellite positioning system (SPS) enabled device. The method can include determining an initial WPS position of the device using WPS, calculating an error region around the initial WPS position of the device, dividing the error region into a plurality of points, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites in view of the device, determining a variation in a receiver clock bias for each point within the error region based on the satellite measurements from at least two satellites, selecting the point with the lowest variation in the receiver clock bias, and determining whether or not to use the point with the lowest variation in receiver clock bias to refine the initial WPS position of the device. | 10-16-2014 |
| 20140342752 | TECHNIQUES FOR COMPUTING LOCATION OF A MOBILE DEVICE BASED ON OBSERVED WI-FI ACCESS POINTS - In one embodiment, characteristics of signals received from Wi-Fi access points during a traversal of a number of drivable streets within a geographic area having a radius of one or more miles are determined, the characteristics of a given signal including a unique identifier of a Wi-Fi access point that transmitted the signal, a location where the signal was observed, and an observed signal strength at the location where the signal was observed. Using the characteristics, a reference database is built including records descriptive of Wi-Fi access points in the geographic area. To determine a current location of a mobile device, an observed signal strength of one or more Wi-Fi access points observed by the mobile device from the current location is determined and a current location of the mobile device is computed using at least the observed signal strength of the one or more Wi-Fi access points observed by the mobile device in comparison to information in the reference database. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20150019719 | MAPPING/TRANSLATION TECHNIQUES FOR GENERATING ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN NETWORK ADDRESSES AND ATTRIBUTES THAT WERE NOT DIRECTLY OBSERVED - In one embodiment, a mapping/translation technique is provided for generating an association between an observed network address and one or more attributes that are not directly observed. A network address is observed that is associated with a source device. A first attribute is determined, the first attribute being a directly observed attribute. The first attribute is mapped to a second attribute based on at least a predefined spatial, temporal, or identity-related correspondence between the first attribute and the second attribute, wherein the second attribute was not directly observed in connection with the network address. An association is generated between the second attribute and the network address. A record that maintains the association between the second attribute and the network address is stored. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150019720 | DETERMINING FIXED/MOBILE AND PROXY/NON-PROXY NETWORK ADDRESSES - In one embodiment, a processing technique is provided for determining a refined attribute of a network address based on one or more other attributes. A network address associated with a source device in communication with a network is observed. One or more first attributes of the network address are determined, where the one or more first attributes indicate at least a spatial or temporal property of the network address. The one or more first attributes are processed to determine a second attribute to be associated with the network address, where the second attribute indicates whether the network address is a fixed or mobile network address, or is a proxy or non-proxy network address. A record is stored that maintains the association between the second attribute and the network address. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150019738 | PROPAGATING ATTRIBUTES BETWEEN NETWORK ADDRESSES - In one embodiment, a technique is provided for propagating network address to attribute associations between network addresses. One or more profiles are obtained that maintain an association between a first network address and one or more attributes, the association produced from network address observations of the first network address by one or more source devices in communication with a network. A second network address is determined that is associated with the first network address based on a similarity criteria. The second network address initially lacks an association with the one or more attributes. The one or more attributes are propagated from the first network address to the second address, to form an association between the second network address and the one or more attributes. The association between the second network address and the one or more attributes is then stored in an updated profile. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150019758 | PROCESSING MULTIPLE NETWORK ADDRESS OBSERVATIONS - In one embodiment, a processing technique is provided that utilizes multiple network address observations. One or more records are obtained that maintain network address observations, each network address observation associating one or more attributes with a network address observed by one or more source devices. Multiple network addresses from the network address observations are clustered into one or more discrete groups of network addresses based on a clustering criteria. For a selected group of network addresses, an association is formed associating one or more refined attributes derived from the selected group with an individual network address that is a member of the selected group. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150020195 | ENSURING DATA QUALITY BY FILTERING NETWORK ADDRESS OBSERVATIONS - In one embodiment, a filtering technique is provided for ensuring data quality of network address observations. A network address observation is obtained of a network address associated with a source device, the network address observation associating the network address with one or more directly observed attributes. The network address observation is filtered based on a comparison of a selected one of the one or more directly observed attributes to a predetermined criteria, and using a result of the comparison as indicative of whether the network address observation should be used for association of the network address with one or more directly observed attributes. The filtering either associates one or more indicators with the network address observation, or removes the network address observation. A network address to attribute association system executed on one or more electronic devices stores a record that maintains any network address observation that has not been removed and any indicator. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150087336 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ESTIMATING POSITIONING ERROR WITHIN A WLAN-BASED POSITIONING SYSTEM - In one embodiment, a technique is provided for estimating and using an expected error of a position estimate of a wireless local area network (WLAN)-enabled mobile device. The WLAN-enabled mobile device received signals transmitted by a plurality of WLAN access points that are in range. A position of the WLAN-enabled mobile device is estimated based on the signals from one or more of the plurality of WLAN access points. An expected error of the position estimate is estimated based on a combination of correlated parameters, such as a spatial spread of geographic positions of the one or more WLAN access points, the signal coverage areas of the one or more WLAN access points, and a number of the one or more WLAN access points. Based on the expected error, the position estimate may be weighted or excluded from use in deriving a position, speed, or direction of travel. | 03-26-2015 |
