| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090088180 | COMPUTING GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION OF A MOBILE RECEIVER USING NETWORK MEASUREMENT REPORTS - A method and an apparatus for determining a location of a mobile receiver including the steps of measuring a plurality of signal strengths received by a mobile receiver, wherein the plurality of signal strengths are associated with a plurality of cellular stations, wherein the plurality of signal strengths is associated with a specific point in time, combining the plurality of signal strengths with a plurality of signal path modeling parameters to create a propagation path loss model of the path between the plurality of cellular stations and the mobile receiver, applying a non-linear estimation algorithm to the propagation path loss model, generating a plurality of distances, wherein each distance is associated with the mobile receiver and each of the plurality of cellular stations and computing the location of the mobile receiver by iterating the non-linear estimation algorithm and resulting mobile receiver position until converged. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20100039315 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A POSITION OF A MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A GNSS enabled mobile device transmits to a location server a combination of GNSS-based location data and non-GNSS based location data used to determining reference positions at the location server. The GNSS mobile device receives the determined reference positions from the location server to calculate an associated GNSS position fix. The transmitted GNSS-based location data comprises GNSS position fixes associated with the GNSS enabled mobile device. The transmitted non-GNSS-based location data comprises a serving Cell-ID, neighbor Cell-IDs, neighbor cell fingerprinting, timing advance parameters, and/or a mobile country code. Reference positions associated with the serving Cell-ID are determined and/or refined based on location information acquired from each of associated mobile devices. To respond to a reference position request from the GNSS enabled mobile device without an associated serving Cell-ID, the location server determines corresponding reference positions by combing subscriber population density with an associated MCC. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100039323 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR GLOBAL POSITION REFERENCE MAP (GPRM) FOR AGPS - Aspects of a method and system for global position reference map (GPRM) for AGPS are provided. A GPS enabled device may transmit reference location data to a location server and responded with a global position reference map (GPRM) from the location server. The reference location data and/or the received GPRM may comprise reference positions, which may be any identifiable location information, for the GPS enabled device. The reference location data may be formatted via various location identifiers such as a RNC ID, MCC and/or a MNC indicating desired coverage areas for the received GPRM. The reference location data may be a portion of a reference position database inside the GPS enabled device. The reference position database may be updated via the received GPRM. A fast position fix for the GPS enabled device may be achieved by combining AGPS data or LTO AGPS data, and the reference position database. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100220005 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A LOCATION-BASED BROKER SERVICE (LBS) CLIENT BROKER - A GNSS enabled handset receives signals from different resources comprising GNSS satellites and/or from a wireless network. The GNSS enabled handset acquires location information comprising various positioning resource data comprising GPS data and/or WiFi data from the received signals. The GNSS enabled handset calculates a plurality of possible position fixes based on the acquired location information using various positioning approaches. A current position fix associated with the GNSS enabled handset is determined based on the plurality of calculated possible position fixes via running a location-based service (“LBS”) client on the GNSS enabled handset. The LBS client determines the plurality of possible position fixes using various positioning approaches in a particular or determined order. Confidence levels for each of the calculated plurality of possible positions are determined and used to refine the current position fix. The refined current position fix is used for a location-based service from a LBS application server. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100259444 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DYNAMIC WIRELESS NODE CAPTURE FOR A LBS SERVER, CLIENT, AND REFERENCE DATABASE - A GNSS capable LBS client device sends a device RF environment report to a location server and subsequently receives a capture profile from the location server. A new RF environment report is generated according to the received capture profile. The device RF environment report comprises various encountered RF information, for example, state of radios, state of power and/or memory resource, and/or positioning variables. The received capture profile comprises information of a desired RF environment report expected from the GNSS capable LBS client device. The capture profile is determined according to the received RF environment report and a reference database. Desired RF environment data are captured according to the received capture profile, and time and location stamped to generate the new device RF environment report, which is sent to the location server to update the reference database to enhance locating the GNSS capable LBS client device when need. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20110012779 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A VIRTUAL WIDE AREA GNSS REFERENCE NETWORK - A GNSS enabled mobile device receives GNSS assistance data in a determined format from a central processing station communicatively coupled to a wide area reference network (WARN). The WARN comprises a first plurality of GNSS tracking stations from which usable signals are received by the central processing station, and a second plurality of GNSS tracking stations from which unusable or no signals are received by the central processing station. The central processing station generates the GNSS assistance data using a complete set of GNSS reference feeds of the WARN. The complete set of GNSS reference feeds comprises actual GNSS reference feeds from the first plurality of GNSS tracking stations and virtual GNSS reference feeds derived for the second plurality of GNSS tracking stations from processed actual GNSS reference feeds. The generated GNSS assistance data is reformatted into a determined format and is communicated to the GNSS enabled mobile device, accordingly. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110039575 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POSITIONING NEIGHBOR CELLS IN A CELLULAR NETWORK USING LEARNED CELL DATA - A mobile device learns cell information for a serving cell and for neighbor cells. The learned cell information is communicated to a remote location server for locating base stations within the serving and/or neighbor cells. The learned cell information comprises cell signal strength information and/or other cell information such as cell identifiers (Cell-IDs) and Country Code (MCC). Received signal strength (RSS) on the serving cell and the neighbor cells are measured. Locations pertaining to the RSS measurements are determined. The mobile device location stamps the RSS measurements utilizing the determined locations to generate a neighbor cell report, which is utilized by a cellular communication network to prepare a handover operation whenever needed, and/or to build a local cell-learning database. A portion of the local cell-learning database is transmitted as cell data to the remote location server that collects cell data from a plurality of mobile devices. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110199185 | BUILDING A LOCATION BASED SERVICE REFERENCE DATABASE BASED ON ENCOUNTERED RFID TAGS - A RFID reader of a RFID enabled mobile device receives RFID information from a RFID tag attached to an object. In instances where the RFID enabled mobile device is GNSS enabled, a GNSS position of the RFID enabled mobile device is determined to associate, for example, by location stamping, with the received RFID information. The location-stamped RFID information is communicated to a remote location server, where location-based RFID information is received from a plurality of users. The RFID enabled mobile device may communicate at least a portion of the received RFID information to the remote location server. When GNSS is not enabled, the RFID enabled mobile device estimates its own location utilizing location information, if available, for the object in the received RFID information. Otherwise, the RFID enabled mobile device acquires location-based RFID information from the remote location server so as to determine its own location. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199259 | SENSOR-ASSISTED LOCATION-AWARE MOBILE DEVICE - A GNSS enabled mobile device moves from a first area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is above a threshold to a second area where GNSS signal quality and/or level is below the threshold. The GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area determines its own location utilizing previous GNSS measurements in the first area. GNSS signals are received to calculate GNSS measurements whenever the GNSS enabled mobile device is in the first area. The calculated GNSS measurements are utilized to determine a location of the GNSS enabled mobile device within the first area. The GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area utilizes the most current GNSS measurements in the first area to determine its own location. Sensors such as an image sensor, a light sensor, an audio sensor and/or a location sensor are used to refine the location of the GNSS enabled mobile device in the second area. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199260 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A LOCATION OF A CELLULAR BASE STATION UTILIZING MOBILE GNSS VELOCITY AND CORRESPONDING CELLULAR DOPPLER - A GNSS enabled mobile device concurrently receives GNSS signals from GNSS satellites and transmissions from a cellular base station. GNSS-based velocities and GNSS locations are determined for the GNSS enabled mobile device utilizing the received GNSS signals. A cellular Doppler is measured on the cellular base station. A location of the cellular base station is determined based on the determined GNSS-based velocity and corresponding cellular Doppler measurements. The cellular base station may be located by the GNSS enabled mobile device and/or by a remote location server. In this regard, the remote location server may determine the location for the cellular base station utilizing GNSS velocities and corresponding cellular Doppler measurements received from plural GNSS enabled mobile devices in a coverage area of the cellular base station. The determined location of the cellular base station is used to refine GNSS locations of the plurality of GNSS enabled mobile devices when needed. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199262 | ESTIMATING FREQUENCY OF A GNSS ENABLED DEVICE BASED ON TIME STAMPS - A GNSS enabled device that is communicatively coupled to a network, receives time stamps via the network. The time stamps are generated based on reference clock signals within the network. GNSS receiver clock signal frequency may be adjusted based on the time stamps. When GNSS satellite signals and/or SRN signals are not available, the time stamps enable synchronization with GNSS satellites. Network clock signals and/or time stamps may be generated by an access point, a DSL modem, a cable modem and/or a primary reference clock within the network. A series of time stamps may be utilized for adjusting frequencies. Clock signals may be generated for adjusting frequencies based on a comparison between time stamps and oscillator or mixer output. Clock signals are generated for baseband, intermediate and/or RF frequency signal processing. GNSS satellite signals may be demodulated, correlated with a pseudonoise code sequence and/or synchronized based on the time stamps. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199916 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING THE LOCATION OF A WIRELESS ACCESS POINT USING SINGLE DEVICE BASED POWER MEASUREMENTS - A mobile device measures power from different locations for an encountered wireless access point, a WiFi or Bluetooth access point, and communicates the power measurements to a remote location. The remote location server collects power measurements for the encountered wireless access point from a plurality of communication devices. The remote location server determines the location of the encountered wireless access point utilizing corresponding power measurements from a single communication device. The power measurements are performed at different locations and over a period of time. The power measurements are time stamped and transmitted to the remote location server. The single communication device is selected based on quality and/or availability of corresponding power measurements for the encountered wireless access point. The determined location of the encountered wireless access point is stored into a reference database so as to be shared among the plurality of communication devices. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199917 | COLLABORATIVE SHARING OF LOCATION INFORMATION AMONG DEVICES IN A NETWORK - A wireless communication device determines its location and communicates the location to other local devices utilizing a nonstandard, standard and/or proprietary protocol in combination with another protocol such as a Bluetooth, RFID, IEEE 802.11 and/or a cellular phone protocol. The location may be determined utilizing a GNSS receiver and/or network device information. A new location may be determined based on the determined location, a relative distance and/or a relative direction to other local devices. Determined location information may be communicated to other devices via a network. The wireless communication device may receive locations and/or corresponding location uncertainties from devices located within a limited range. The received information is utilized to determine a more accurate location. The more accurate location is communicated back to the devices within the limited range and/or to other communication devices. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110199964 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING A LOCATION OF AN ACCESS POINT BASED ON ASSOCIATION OF THE ACCESS POINT WITH A COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING A KNOWN LOCATION - A communication device associated with a wireless access point, namely, a WiFi access point or a Bluetooth access point for example, communicates its location information to the wireless access point. The wireless access point determines its own location utilizing the communicated location information. The communicated location information comprises a device location address and/or a GNSS position of the associated communication device. The device address comprises a network accessible address, a device identifier, a telephone number, an IP address, a url and/or ftp location, an e-mail address, and/or an account number that identifies a corresponding location of the communication device. The wireless access point retrieves corresponding device location addresses and/or GNSS positions from a plurality of associated communication devices. The retrieved device location addresses are converted to determine corresponding locations for self-locating the wireless access point. The determined location of the wireless access point is shared with each associated communication device. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110200024 | PROVIDING GNSS ASSISTANCE DATA VIA A WIRELESS LAN ACCESS POINT - A wireless mobile device, either a WLAN enabled mobile device or a Bluetooth enable device, which is within range of a WLAN access point, is operable to receive GNSS assistance data broadcasted from the WLAN access point. The GNSS assistance data are acquired by the WLAN access point from a reference database coupled to a location server. The broadcast GNSS assistance data comprise ephemeris data, LTO data, location information related to the WLAN access point and/or time information. The WLAN access point receives the acquired GNSS assistance data from the location server over a broadband IP network. The WLAN access point selects available resources for broadcasting the received GNSS assistance data to wireless mobile devices in range. The wireless mobile device receives the broadcast GNSS assistance data to calculate its own location. The calculated location of the wireless mobile device is used to update or refine the reference database. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201335 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR A LOCATION-BASED VERTICAL HANDOFF OVER HETEROGENEOUS MOBILE ENVIRONMENTS - A multi-radio mobile device receives data transmissions for a wireless communication session from a current serving access network in a coupled heterogeneous network system comprising a plurality of different access networks. The multi-radio mobile device initiates a handoff for the wireless communication session based on the current mobile location. The multi-radio mobile device acquires location based network connection information such as call drop in the current mobile location from a location server so as to make a handoff decision. When the handoff is to be performed, a target access network or a different base station in the current serving access network associated with the lowest call drop rate is selected. The wireless communication session is received from the selected target access network, as a new serving access network, or from the different base station in the current serving access network with the completion of the handoff. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201336 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING USER-LEVEL QoS DURING A LOCATION-BASED HANDOFF OVER HETEROGENEOUS MOBILE ENVIRONMENTS - A multi-radio mobile device receives data transmission of a session from a serving access network in a heterogeneous network system comprising difference access networks. A handoff is performed based on the received data transmissions. User-level QoS for the wireless communication session is adjusted during the handoff based on connection QoS information in the current location of the multi-radio mobile device and/or a velocity of the multi-radio mobile device. Location-based network connection information, comprising call drop information and the connection QoS information, in the current location of the multi-radio mobile device is acquired from a location server. A target access network or a different base station in the serving access network associated with the highest connection QoS is selected. The user-level QoS is adjusted during the handoff for receiving the wireless communication session from the selected target access network or the different base station in the serving access network. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201347 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATION-BASED DYNAMIC RADIO SELECTION - A multi-radio mobile device comprises a plurality of different radios. When a location update occurs, the multi-radio mobile device, at a specific location, acquires location-based radio information from a remote location server. The multi-radio mobile device selects a radio for use in the specific location based on the acquired location-based radio information comprising available radios in the specific location and radio weights. The radio is selected from the available radios based on the radio weights in the specific location. Transmissions of a desired service are received in the specific location utilizing the selected radio. Location-based radio measurements reports to the remote location server are generated utilizing signal strength measurements for the received signals. Radio quality information of the available radios is calculated by the location server utilizing location-based radio measurement reports from associated users. The radio weights of the available radios are determined based on the calculated radio quality information. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201349 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR LOCATING A FEMTOCELL USING MEASUREMENT REPORTS - A Femtocell measures power from a serving and/or neighboring base stations in a radio access network specified in, for example, 3GPP, 3GPP2 and/or WiMAX. The power measurements are transmitted over a broadband IP network to a location server coupled to an associated mobile core network. Related location information comprising reference positions and/or actual location of the Femtocell are received from the location server over the broadband IP network. The Femtocell generates measurement reports of a serving and/or neighboring base stations in the radio access network. The generated measurement reports are transmitted to the location server over the broadband IP network. The location server identifies the reference positions of the Femtocell from a reference database based on the received measurement reports for calculating the location of the Femtocell by the location server and/or by the Femtocell itself. The calculated location of the Femtocell is used to update the reference database. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201357 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REFINING A LOCATION OF A BASE STATION AND/OR A MOBILE DEVICE BASED ON SIGNAL STRENGTH MEASUREMENTS AND CORRESPONDING TRANSMITTER AND/OR RECEIVER ANTENNA PATTERNS - A mobile device receives data transmissions, via a coupled receiver antenna array, from a transmitter antenna array of a serving base station. The mobile device determines relative distances, with respect to the serving base station, associated with signal strength measurements on the received data transmissions. The signal strength measurements are compensated, at the mobile device and/or a remote location server, in three-dimensional space based on corresponding transmitter and/or receiver antenna pattern, and/or mobile orientation information for estimating the relative distances. The estimated relative distances are refined by fitting a function of the azimuth and elevation angles. A location for the serving base station and/or the mobile device is determined or refined based on the refined relative distances to be shared among a plurality of users of the remote location server. Fixed or adaptive antenna patterns are supported at the serving base station and/or the mobile device. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201358 | DETERMINING APPLICATION USAGE RELATIVE TO A PARTICULAR LOCATION - A mobile device collects information about application usage and associates collected application information with a location of the mobile device and/or a time that the application is accessed. The application is stored on the mobile device or on an external device and accessed via a network. The application information, location of the mobile device and time the application is accessed are communicated to another device and stored in a storage device which may be operated or managed by a service provider or another entity. The application information may comprise identification of a website, a network device or URL, the application and/or data that is input and/or output from the application. The location of the mobile device and/or the time, are determined utilizing a GNSS receiver and/or utilizing information from a network device. The application information, the location of the mobile device and/or the time may be utilized for targeted advertizing. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110201360 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PHYSICAL MAP-ASSISTED WIRELESS ACCESS POINT LOCATING - A mobile device receives a server-assisted location for a wireless access point, either a WiFi access point or a Bluetooth access point, from a remote location server comprising a reference database. The received server-assisted location is refined using a physical map or image. The mobile device is operable to acquire the physical map or image for a map-assisted location for the wireless access point. The mobile device compares the two locations to generate a valid location for the wireless access point. In instances where the two locations are consistent, the mobile device utilizes one of the two locations as the valid location for the wireless access point. Otherwise, the mobile device refines the server-assisted location utilizing the map-assisted location. The resulting refined server-assisted location is utilized as the valid location for the wireless access point and is transmitted to the remote location server to refine the reference database. | 08-18-2011 |
