A system for estimating the altitude of a cellular telephone or other wireless device based on a measurement of barometric pressure. The system cleverly uses cellular telephones at various locations to assist in generating an accurate estimate of a reference barometric pressure p0. For example, the system has a cellular telephone near the location of interest make two measurements of barometric pressure near the time of interest. Thereafter, the system calculates the change in barometric pressure Δp during the time-interval Δt when the measurements were made. If the cellular telephone is stationary during the time-interval Δt, then the system reasonably conclude that the value of Δp is caused by changes in the atmosphere and not by the movement of the cellular telephone. In this case, the system can use Δp as a factor in generating the reference barometric pressure p0; otherwise, it cannot.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
2.
Estimating the Altitude of a Wireless Terminal Based on Changes in Barometric Pressure
A system for estimating the altitude of a cellular telephone or other wireless device based on a measurement of barometric pressure. The system cleverly uses cellular telephones at various locations to assist in generating an accurate estimate of a reference barometric pressure p0. For example, the system has a cellular telephone near the location of interest make two measurements of barometric pressure near the time of interest. Thereafter, the system calculates the change in barometric pressure Δp during the time-interval Δt when the measurements were made. If the cellular telephone is stationary during the time-interval Δt, then the system reasonably conclude that the value of Δp is caused by changes in the atmosphere and not by the movement of the cellular telephone. In this case, the system can use Δp as a factor in generating the reference barometric pressure p0; otherwise, it cannot.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
3.
Estimating the Location of a Wireless Terminal Based on Dissimilar Barometric Pressure References
A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
4.
Preventing the Use of a Wireless Terminal in a Proscribed Area
A wireless telecommunication system is described that denies wireless telecommunication service to a wireless terminal in a proscribed area (e.g., prison, military installation, academic testing center, school, etc.). The system comprises an adjunct called a “service sentry.” The service sentry uses measurements of the location-dependent traits of the radio signals transmitted to, and received from, each wireless terminal in its purview to generate an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has entered the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area deny service to the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has exited the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area provide service to the wireless terminal.
H04W 48/04 - Access restriction performed under specific conditions based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction or speed
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
5.
Preventing the Use of a Wireless Terminal in a Proscribed Area
A wireless telecommunication system is described that denies wireless telecommunication service to a wireless terminal in a proscribed area (e.g., prison, military installation, academic testing center, school, etc.). The system comprises an adjunct called a “service sentry.” The service sentry uses measurements of the location-dependent traits of the radio signals transmitted to, and received from, each wireless terminal in its purview to generate an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has entered the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area deny service to the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has exited the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area provide service to the wireless terminal.
H04W 48/04 - Access restriction performed under specific conditions based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction or speed
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
6.
Preventing the use of a wireless terminal in a proscribed area
A wireless telecommunication system is described that denies wireless telecommunication service to a wireless terminal in a proscribed area (e.g., prison, military installation, academic testing center, school, etc.). The system comprises an adjunct called a “service sentry.” The service sentry uses measurements of the location-dependent traits of the radio signals transmitted to, and received from, each wireless terminal in its purview to generate an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has entered the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area deny service to the wireless terminal. When the service sentry estimates that the wireless terminal has exited the proscribed area, it requests that the wireless switching center that services the proscribed area restore service to the wireless terminal.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networksFacilities therefor
H04W 48/04 - Access restriction performed under specific conditions based on user or terminal location or mobility data, e.g. moving direction or speed
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
7.
Estimation of barometric pressure measurement bias by compensating for environment-related effects
A method for estimating the pressure measurement bias of a barometric sensor in a wireless terminal. A location engine using the method generates an enhanced estimate of the measurement bias. The location engine generates the enhanced estimate based in part on relatively coarse estimates of the elevation of the wireless terminal. Each coarse estimate of elevation is often generated from noisy measurements, such as measurements of signals transmitted by Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, and has an associated uncertainty. The location engine accounts for the uncertainty in these estimates of elevation by applying an optimal estimation technique, such as Kalman filtering, and by compensating for environment-related effects. Compensating Includes filtering across a plurality of lateral locations and imposing a lower bound of bias uncertainty at the lateral locations. Once the location engine generates the enhanced estimate of measurement bias, it can generate improved estimates of elevation of the wireless terminal.
G01S 19/40 - Correcting position, velocity or attitude
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
G01S 19/39 - Determining a navigation solution using signals transmitted by a satellite radio beacon positioning system the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
G01W 1/10 - Devices for predicting weather conditions
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
8.
Estimation of barometric pressure measurement bias based on global navigation satellite system signals
A method for estimating the pressure measurement bias of a barometric sensor in a wireless terminal. A location engine using the method generates an enhanced estimate of the measurement bias. The location engine generates the enhanced estimate based in part on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)-based estimates of the elevation of the wireless terminal, which the terminal generates as it concurrently makes barometric pressure measurements. Each GNSS-based estimate of elevation is often generated from noisy measurements and has an associated uncertainty. The location engine accounts for the uncertainty in the GNSS estimates of elevation by applying an optimal estimation technique, such as Kalman filtering, on the biased pressure measurements and the GNSS-based estimates. Once the location engine generates the enhanced estimate of measurement bias, it can adjust subsequent measurements of barometric pressure made by the wireless terminal and generate improved estimates of elevation of the wireless terminal.
G01S 19/39 - Determining a navigation solution using signals transmitted by a satellite radio beacon positioning system the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
G01W 1/10 - Devices for predicting weather conditions
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
9.
Estimation of barometric pressure measurement bias with adjustment based on a value expected for a wireless terminal
A method for estimating the pressure measurement bias of a barometric sensor in a wireless terminal. A location engine using the method generates an enhanced estimate of the measurement bias. The location engine generates the enhanced estimate based in part on relatively coarse estimates of the elevation of the wireless terminal. The coarse estimates are used to generate instantaneous estimates of measurement bias and bias uncertainty. As needed, the location engine adjusts the instantaneous estimate of bias uncertainty, in order to reflect an instantaneous estimate of measurement bias that is recognized as being in error. The adjustment is based on what is expected as a probable measurement bias value for the particular wireless terminal. Once the location engine generates the enhanced estimate of measurement bias, it can generate improved estimates of elevation of the wireless terminal.
G01S 19/39 - Determining a navigation solution using signals transmitted by a satellite radio beacon positioning system the satellite radio beacon positioning system transmitting time-stamped messages, e.g. GPS [Global Positioning System], GLONASS [Global Orbiting Navigation Satellite System] or GALILEO
G01W 1/10 - Devices for predicting weather conditions
G01L 19/00 - Details of, or accessories for, apparatus for measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluent medium insofar as such details or accessories are not special to particular types of pressure gauges
G01L 27/00 - Testing or calibrating of apparatus for measuring fluid pressure
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
G01S 19/48 - Determining position by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
10.
Estimation of reference barometric pressure by using dissimilar pressure references
A method for providing an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method uses multiple, dissimilar pressure references, such as in airport weather stations, personal weather stations, and wireless terminals such as smartphones, in order to provide the enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure. The method generates an enhanced estimate of reference barometric pressure based on a first estimate of reference barometric pressure from a first pressure reference network made up of airport weather stations, for example. The method also uses a second estimate of reference barometric pressure from a second pressure reference network made of up personal weather stations, for example, and a third estimate of reference barometric pressure, also from the second network. The first, second, and third estimates of reference barometric pressure are combined such that both measurement accuracy and timeliness are improved in the resulting, enhanced estimate.
G01W 1/04 - Instruments for indicating weather conditions by measuring two or more variables, e.g. humidity, pressure, temperature, cloud cover or wind speed giving only separate indications of the variables measured
G01L 9/00 - Measuring steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or a fluent solid material by electric or magnetic pressure-sensitive elementsTransmitting or indicating the displacement of mechanical pressure-sensitive elements, used to measure the steady or quasi-steady pressure of a fluid or fluent solid material, by electric or magnetic means
A method for performing contact tracing. An analysis system performing the method receives geo-temporal data comprising location data points for various wireless terminals, including the wireless terminal being used by a person diagnosed as having a specified disease and the wireless terminals of people who possibly have come in contact with the infected person. Based on filtering the geo-temporal data, the analysis system generates relatively-condensed mobility profiles that are representative of each person's locations and movements, and analyzes the mobility profiles. Through careful selections of various parameters based on the disease that is being analyzed, the mobility profiles are used instead of the relatively large amounts of geo-temporal data, to represent users of wireless terminals and to determine their interactions in regard to disease transmission.
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
H04W 8/14 - Mobility data transfer between corresponding nodes
G16H 50/80 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
G16H 50/30 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for calculating health indicesICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for individual health risk assessment
G16H 70/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical references relating to pathologies
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
12.
Contact tracing involving an index case, based on comparing geo-temporal patterns that include mobility profiles
A method for performing contact tracing. An analysis system performing the method receives geo-temporal data comprising location data points for various wireless terminals, including the wireless terminals being used by people diagnosed as having a specified disease and the wireless terminals of others, one of whom having possibly infected those diagnosed with the disease. Based on filtering the geo-temporal data, the analysis system generates relatively-condensed mobility profiles that are representative of each person's locations and movements, and analyzes the mobility profiles. Through careful selections of various parameters based on the disease that is being analyzed, the mobility profiles are used instead of the relatively large amounts of geo-temporal data, to represent users of wireless terminals and to determine their interactions in regard to disease transmission.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networksFacilities therefor
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
G16H 50/80 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics, e.g. flu
G16H 50/30 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for calculating health indicesICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data miningICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for individual health risk assessment
G16H 70/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical references relating to pathologies
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 8/14 - Mobility data transfer between corresponding nodes
13.
Estimation of the location of a wireless terminal, based on a propagation characteristic of a pressure wave
A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location, such as within a building. A location engine using the disclosed method receives and uses samples of barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal to generate a characterization of a pressure wave in the vicinity of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal based on the characterization of the pressure wave and, in some cases, the location of the source of the pressure wave, such as a building's door that is opening or closing. The location engine also bases the estimate of the wireless terminal's location on a propagation characteristic of the pressure wave, such as its speed of propagation.
G01D 5/42 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using fluid means
G01L 19/08 - Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
14.
Estimating the location of a reference radio and using the estimated location of the reference radio to estimate the location of a wireless terminal
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
15.
Estimating the excess path loss inside of a building and using the estimates of excess path loss to estimate the location of a wireless terminal
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
16.
Estimating the location of a reference radio in a multi-story building and using the estimated location of the reference radio to estimate the location of a wireless terminal
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
17.
Estimating the location of a footprint of a building and using the footprint to estimate the location of a wireless terminal
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
18.
Estimating the location of a multi-band reference radio
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
19.
Integrated estimation of the location of a plurality of reference radios
A location engine uses the empirical measurements made by a scouting wireless terminal (i) to discover the existence of a reference radio within a geographic region; (ii) to generate an estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) to generate an estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio. The location engine then uses: (i) the estimate of the location of the newly-discovered reference radio, and (ii) the estimate of the transmission power of the downlink control channel radio signal transmitted by the newly-discovered reference radio, and (iii) measurements, made by a user wireless terminal, of the power of each of the downlink control channel radio signals transmitted by each of the reference radios to generate an estimate of the location of the user wireless terminal.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 52/24 - TPC being performed according to specific parameters using SIR [Signal to Interference Ratio] or other wireless path parameters
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 11/06 - Systems for determining distance or velocity not using reflection or reradiation using radio waves using intensity measurements
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 48/16 - DiscoveringProcessing access restriction or access information
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Recorded software for locating and tracking individuals using global positioning systems (GPS) and cellular communications; recorded software for data mining of GPS and cellular communications to determine and track the geographic location of individuals
21.
Estimating the elevation of a wireless terminal by determining a bias of pressure measurement from a probability distribution
A location engine that generates an estimate of the measurement bias of the pressure sensor in a wireless terminal. The estimate is determined from a probability distribution characterized as having a flat top with exponentially decaying sides. The probability distribution is generated by inferring i) a range of elevations within which the wireless terminal is most likely present, wherein the elevations have associated barometric pressures, and ii) a corresponding range of measurement biases based on an inferred range of the barometric pressures. The location engine updates the probability distribution over time. The location engine makes a single estimate of measurement bias available by determining a mean of the updated probability distribution, such as an average of the low and high endpoints that define the flat top. Subsequently, the location engine generates an estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal by accounting for the estimate of measurement bias.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 21/00 - NavigationNavigational instruments not provided for in groups
A system and method according to the principles of the invention identifies mobile phone aliases. The system processes mobile location data and call event data to generate mobility profiles. The profiles indicate a mobile's geographic zone history over a specified time. To produce a mobility profile, the system aggregates location data into zones and associates the zones with times of day, week or month. Particular zones for different mobiles can be compared according to weighting algorithms to provide data indicating whether the mobiles belong to the same user.
H04W 8/02 - Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
H04W 8/18 - Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profilesTransfer of user or subscriber data
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04L 29/12 - Arrangements, apparatus, circuits or systems, not covered by a single one of groups characterised by the data terminal
H04W 60/00 - Affiliation to network, e.g. registrationTerminating affiliation with the network, e.g. de-registration
23.
Method of considering the positions of data points in relation to boundaries represented in a geographic information system database, in estimating location
A technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. The disclosed technique considers boundaries that are represented in a geographic information system (GIS) database in combination with a first, unenhanced estimate of location, in order to generate a second, enhanced estimate of location. To do so, the technique generates a point cloud based on the first estimate of location. At least some of the data points in the point cloud are then removed, depending on their positions in relation to certain boundaries stored in the GIS database, such as the exterior walls of buildings and other structures. By considering these boundaries, the disclosed technique can increase the probability that the estimated location is within an area that is occupiable by a person, thereby providing a more reasonable result. The technique generates the second, enhanced estimate based on the distribution of the remaining data points.
A technique for detecting the occurrence of an event, and for estimating other event-related information, by analyzing the barometric pressure in the vicinity of one or more wireless terminals. The disclosed detection technique is based on the recognition that the barometric sensor on various wireless terminals, such as smartphones, is capable of measuring very subtle changes in the atmospheric pressure. The disclosed detection technique is also based on the additional recognition of how some of the changes in the atmospheric pressure, as measured by a wireless terminal, correlate to various events that occur within a building or other defined area. For example, the disclosed technique can detect an entry door opening or closing by analyzing a resultant pressure wave having a particular transient that is perceptible by one or more wireless terminals in the area and analyzed by a detection engine.
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
H04W 12/65 - Environment-dependent, e.g. using captured environmental data
H04W 12/121 - Wireless intrusion detection systems [WIDS]Wireless intrusion prevention systems [WIPS]
25.
System and method for graphical representation of spatial data based on selection of a time window
A system and method for graphical representation of spatial data. A disclosed video display system is capable of presenting a layout of graphics objects as part of a displayed image. The system provides in the displayed image i) a first graphical representation in a first display area of a display and ii) a diagrammatic representation in a second display area. The diagrammatic representation features superimposed graphical elements that are dependent on the first graphical representation. The video display system can provide, for example, a pie chart as the first graphical representation and a map of a geographic area as the diagrammatic representation. The pie chart graphically represents, for example, a breakdown of members by organization, wherein each slice in the pie chart corresponds to a different organization. Superimposed on the map are elements of a bar chart, which is another example of a graphical representation.
G06T 11/20 - Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
A technique for developing a stack-effect compensation model that is representative of a structure, such as a particular building, and of generating an estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal inside the structure by using the model. The technique includes estimating information related to one or more neutral pressure planes within the structure, at which the difference between the indoor barometric pressure and the outdoor barometric pressure is essentially zero. The technique leverages pressure and temperature measurements that are provided by one or more wireless terminals that are regularly present in the building. The stack-effect compensation model includes a parameter that represents, for each of a plurality of uncompensated elevations, the height of the particular uncompensated elevation above a neutral pressure plane. The location engine uses this height-information parameter from the compensation model, in order to develop the estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
27.
Estimating elevation of a wireless terminal, based on the measurement bias of a pressure reference that is in a second region, based on the measurement bias of a pressure reference that is in a first region
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a pressure station reference, such as an airport pressure station, resulting in an improved estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal. The location engine generates the estimate of bias of barometric pressure by comparing i) the outdoor barometric pressure measured by the airport pressure station at its unknown height above mean sea level (MSL) and ii) the expected outdoor barometric pressure derived from the pressure measurements from an already-calibrated pressure station, while accounting for the known height of the already-calibrated pressure station. The expected outdoor measurements correspond to a derived height above MSL of the airport pressure station. Subsequently, the location engine generates an estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal by accounting for the estimate of measurement bias of the airport pressure station.
H04W 4/90 - Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
G01C 5/00 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
A system and method according to the principles of the invention identifies mobile phone aliases. The system processes mobile location data and call event data to generate mobility profiles. The profiles indicate a mobile's geographic zone history over a specified time. To produce a mobility profile, the system aggregates location data into zones and associates the zones with times of day, week or month. Particular zones for different mobiles can be compared according to weighting algorithms to provide data indicating whether the mobiles belong to the same user.
H04W 12/00 - Security arrangementsAuthenticationProtecting privacy or anonymity
H04W 8/02 - Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
H04L 29/12 - Arrangements, apparatus, circuits or systems, not covered by a single one of groups characterised by the data terminal
H04W 8/18 - Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profilesTransfer of user or subscriber data
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
An improved technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. A disclosed location engine is capable of utilizing a service set identifier (SSID) or a media access control (MAC) address, or both, received from a reporting wireless terminal, in order to improve the estimate of the wireless terminal's location. The location engine generates a first hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal based on evidence of the location of the wireless terminal, such signal strength measurements, wherein the evidence is independent of the SSID and MAC addresses. The location engine also generates a second hypothesis for the location based on the SSID or a third hypothesis for the location based on the MAC address, or both. An estimate of location of the wireless terminal is based on a combination of the first, second, and third hypotheses. The estimate can then be used in a location-based application.
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Downloadable software for locating and tracking individuals using global positioning systems (GPS) and cellular communications; downloadable software for data mining of GPS and cellular communications to determine and track the geographic location of individuals
33.
Estimating the elevation of a wireless terminal based on determining the measurement bias of a pressure reference
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a pressure station reference, such as an airport pressure station, resulting in an improved estimate of the elevation of a wireless terminal. The location engine generates the estimate of bias of barometric pressure by comparing i) the outdoor barometric pressure measured by the airport pressure station at its unknown height above mean sea level (MSL) and ii) the expected outdoor barometric pressure derived from the pressure measurements from an already-calibrated pressure station, while accounting for the known height of the already-calibrated pressure station. The expected outdoor measurements correspond to a derived height above MSL of the airport pressure station. Subsequently, the location engine generates an estimate of the elevation of the wireless terminal by accounting for the estimate of measurement bias of the airport pressure station.
H04W 4/90 - Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 4/029 - Location-based management or tracking services
34.
Method of considering boundaries represented in a geographic information system database, in estimating location
A technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. The disclosed technique considers boundaries that are represented in a geographic information system (GIS) database in combination with a first, unenhanced estimate of location, in order to generate a second, enhanced estimate of location. To do so, the technique generates a point cloud based on the first estimate of location. At least some of the data points in the point cloud are then removed, depending on their positions in relation to certain boundaries stored in the GIS database, such as the exterior walls of buildings and other structures. By considering these boundaries, the disclosed technique can increase the probability that the estimated location is within an area that is occupiable by a person, thereby providing a more reasonable result. The technique generates the second, enhanced estimate based on the distribution of the remaining data points.
A data-processing system that estimates the particular building floors that are present in a particular building based on differences in barometric pressure measurements provided by wireless terminals. A wireless terminal can report one or more barometric pressure measurements at the ground floor of a building and one or more pressure measurements at one or more above- or below-ground floors, or “non-ground” floors. The data-processing system receives the pressure measurements and uses the difference in the pressure measurements to determine a change in height between the ground floor and a non-ground floor. When the system collects enough data from many wireless terminals, it is able to identify the floors that are present in a particular building and their non-ground heights. Then, when an estimate of the vertical location of a wireless terminal is provided to a location application, the system is able to provide the estimate in terms of building floor.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
H04W 4/021 - Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
36.
Calibration of measurement bias of a barometric sensor in a wireless terminal
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
An improved technique for the estimation of the location of a wireless terminal. A disclosed location engine is capable of utilizing a service set identifier (SSID) or a media access control (MAC) address, or both, received from a reporting wireless terminal, in order to improve the estimate of the wireless terminal's location. The location engine generates a first hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal based on evidence of the location of the wireless terminal, such signal strength measurements, wherein the evidence is independent of the SSID and MAC addresses. The location engine also generates a second hypothesis for the location based on the SSID or a third hypothesis for the location based on the MAC address, or both. An estimate of location of the wireless terminal is based on a combination of the first, second, and third hypotheses. The estimate can then be used in a location-based application.
A location engine that estimates the barometric pressure measurement bias of a wireless terminal, resulting in an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal. The location engine generates an estimate of measurement bias by comparing the barometric pressure measured by the wireless terminal while at that elevation and the barometric pressure that corresponds to an estimated elevation of the wireless terminal when it made the pressure measurement (i.e., the expected pressure). The estimated elevation is based on an inferred above-ground height and the local terrain elevation, and the expected pressure is based on the measurement of barometric pressure at the pressure reference and the estimated elevation. The location engine infers the height based on various techniques disclosed herein. The location engine can use the measurement bias to adjust subsequent pressure measurements reported by the wireless terminal, in order to generate an improved estimate of elevation of the wireless terminal.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
G01C 25/00 - Manufacturing, calibrating, cleaning, or repairing instruments or devices referred to in the other groups of this subclass
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
39.
Estimation of the location of a wireless terminal, based on characterizing a pressure wave
A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region. The technique is based on a two-part recognition, the first part being that a transient in atmospheric pressure attributed to a particular source, such as an entry door of a building opening and closing, is detectable in some environments while not being present in others. The second part of the recognition is that a correlation exists between i) the presence of a transient in the characterization of a pressure wave in the vicinity of a wireless terminal and ii) whether the wireless terminal is indoors or not. Transients in pressure waves are often present indoors but not outdoors. By accounting for the transients being detected or not being detected in the vicinity of the wireless terminal, the disclosed technique is able to estimate whether the wireless terminal is indoors.
G01D 5/42 - Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing memberMeans for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for convertingTransducers not specially adapted for a specific variable using fluid means
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01L 19/08 - Means for indicating or recording, e.g. for remote indication
G01S 5/00 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
40.
Detection of the occurrence of an event, based on barometric pressure measurements
A technique for detecting the occurrence of an event, and for estimating other event-related information, by analyzing the barometric pressure in the vicinity of one or more wireless terminals. The disclosed detection technique is based on the recognition that the barometric sensor on various wireless terminals, such as smartphones, is capable of measuring very subtle changes in the atmospheric pressure. The disclosed detection technique is also based on the additional recognition of how some of the changes in the atmospheric pressure, as measured by a wireless terminal, correlate to various events that occur within a building or other defined area. For example, the disclosed technique can detect an entry door opening or closing by analyzing a resultant pressure wave having a particular transient that is perceptible by one or more wireless terminals in the area and analyzed by a detection engine.
H04W 4/33 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
G01C 5/06 - Measuring heightMeasuring distances transverse to line of sightLevelling between separated pointsSurveyors' levels by using barometric means
H04W 12/00 - Security arrangementsAuthenticationProtecting privacy or anonymity
H04W 4/38 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for collecting sensor information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G08B 13/08 - Mechanical actuation by opening, e.g. of door, of window, of drawer, of shutter, of curtain, of blind
G08B 13/16 - Actuation by interference with mechanical vibrations in air or other fluid
41.
Video editing system with map-oriented replay feature
A video editing system that enables replay of activities performed by one or more objects of interest, and displayed on a map. The editing system receives a series of geolocation data points for each object of interest. The system also receives a series of time data points representing when each object was at the respective geolocations. The editing system generates positions in relation to a map of a predetermined geographic region, for the objects. Depending on one or more command inputs that it receives, the editing system then processes and displays markers of the positions of the objects, based on one or more of i) the geolocation data points, ii) the time data points, and iii) the generated map positions. As part of the processing, the editing system is able to stream the displayable data such that the markers appear to move around the map.
A technique for simplifying structure data for representing an environment. Polyhedrons can make up structure data used in an application such as modeling, visualization, and navigation. Consequently, the operations that are performed on the data often involve determining, for each polyhedron that defines a structure such as a building, whether the polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line between a first point in space being considered in the application and a second point. In order to determine whether a polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line, a data-processing system operating on the structure data must determine whether any walls of the polyhedron intersect the line. Thus, the more polyhedrons there are or the more vertices that are in each polyhedron, the more walls there are, and the more intersection checks are required, thereby adding to the computations. The disclosed technique reduces the number of walls by simplifying objects that make up the structure data.
F21V 17/10 - Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages characterised by specific fastening means or way of fastening
A system and method for graphical representation of spatial data. A disclosed video display system is capable of presenting a layout of graphics objects as part of a displayed image. The system provides in the displayed image i) a first graphical representation in a first display area of a display and ii) a diagrammatic representation in a second display area. The diagrammatic representation features superimposed graphical elements that are dependent on the first graphical representation. The video display system can provide, for example, a pie chart as the first graphical representation and a map of a geographic area as the diagrammatic representation. The pie chart graphically represents, for example, a breakdown of members by organization, wherein each slice in the pie chart corresponds to a different organization. Superimposed on the map are elements of a bar chart, which is another example of a graphical representation.
G06T 11/20 - Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
A technique for simplifying structure data for representing an environment. Polyhedrons can make up structure data used in an application such as modeling, visualization, and navigation. Consequently, the operations that are performed on the data often involve determining, for each polyhedron that defines a structure such as a building, whether the polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line between a first point in space being considered in the application and a second point. In order to determine whether a polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line, a data-processing system operating on the structure data must determine whether any walls of the polyhedron intersect the line. Thus, the more polyhedrons there are or the more vertices that are in each polyhedron, the more walls there are, and the more intersection checks are required, thereby adding to the computations. The disclosed technique reduces the number of walls by simplifying objects that make up the structure data.
B31D 5/04 - Multiple-step processes for making three-dimensional articles including folding or pleating, e.g. Chinese lanterns
45.
Simplification of data for representing an environment, based on the heights and elevations of polyhedrons that define structures represented in the data
A technique for simplifying structure data for representing an environment. Polyhedrons can make up structure data used in an application such as modeling, visualization, and navigation. Consequently, the operations that are performed on the data often involve determining, for each polyhedron that defines a structure such as a building, whether the polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line between a first point in space being considered in the application and a second point. In order to determine whether a polyhedron obstructs a line-of-sight line, a data-processing system operating on the structure data must determine whether any walls of the polyhedron intersect the line. Thus, the more polyhedrons there are or the more vertices that are in each polyhedron, the more walls there are, and the more intersection checks are required, thereby adding to the computations. The disclosed technique reduces the number of walls by simplifying objects that make up the structure data.
A wireless telecommunications system that employs a distributed-antenna system is described in which different combinations of radio signals are assigned to antennas so as to facilitate locating a wireless terminal based on the identity and the relative signal strength of the radio signals it receives above a signal-strength threshold.
H04B 7/04 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04B 7/02 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
H04B 7/0404 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas the mobile station comprising multiple antennas, e.g. to provide uplink diversity
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna (Italy)
Inventor
Lu, Jonathan Shiao-En
Degli-Esposti, Vittorio
Vitucci, Enrico Maria
Abstract
A system and method for ray launching in electromagnetic wave propagation modeling. A data-processing system receives a dataset that is representative of a plurality of structures within an environment. The plurality of structures is defined in the dataset as having a plurality of surfaces. The system then partitions each surface in the plurality of surfaces into a plurality of tiles. The system pre-computes whether i) the reference point of each corresponding tile in each plurality of tiles of each surface is visible or not from ii) the reference point of each possible spawning tile in each other plurality of tiles. The system then projects a first set of ray tubes based on the pre-computed visibility. The system evaluates the incidence of bounced ray tubes at a predetermined receive point within the environment and then presents a propagation result that is based on the evaluated incidence of the bounced ray tubes.
A wireless telecommunications system that employs a distributed-antenna system is described in which different combinations of radio signals are assigned to antennas so as to facilitate locating a wireless terminal based on the identity of the radio signals it receives above a threshold signal strength.
H04M 1/00 - Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
G01S 5/14 - Determining absolute distances from a plurality of spaced points of known location
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 4/20 - Services signallingAuxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
49.
Tracking large numbers of wireless terminals based on predicting when to issue location requests
An apparatus and method for tracking a large number of wireless terminals being used by wireless subscribers and for estimating the location of the terminals at each instant. Some embodiments of the present invention use a combination of cluster analysis, interpolation of information between identified clusters, and averaging of the interpolated information, in order to predict when it might be beneficial to issue a location request to a location engine, for each subscriber.
A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region. The wireless terminal measures samples of a predetermined form of energy in its vicinity. The disclosed technique then generates a characterization of a predetermined type of variation in the vicinity of the wireless terminal, based on the samples measured. Based on the characterization, the technique generates an estimate of whether the wireless terminal is moving or stationary. The technique then generates an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal, based on the estimate of whether the wireless terminal is moving or stationary. The location estimate can be based on i) applying a location estimate that is optimized for motion if the wireless terminal is estimated to be moving and ii) applying a different technique if the wireless terminal is estimated to be stationary.
A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
A system and method for coordinating session replay of spatiotemporal data and presentation of a graphical representation of said data. A disclosed video display system is capable of providing, in a displayed image, i) a diagrammatic representation and ii) a first graphical representation. The graphical elements in the first graphical representation can be dependent on the geolocations of one or more tracked objects, such as wireless terminals, that are represented in the spatiotemporal data and that are presented in the displayed image. The video display system can provide, for example, a map of a geographic area as the diagrammatic representation and a pie chart as the first graphical representation. A user of the system is able to control playback of the spatiotemporal data that are being presented on the map and to observe the pie chart being updated over time by the system during playback of the data.
A wireless telecommunications system that employs a distributed-antenna system is described in which different combinations of radio signals are assigned to antennas so as to facilitate locating a wireless terminal based on the identity and the relative signal strength of the radio signals it receives above a signal-strength threshold.
H04W 36/04 - Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
H04B 7/04 - Diversity systemsMulti-antenna systems, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
A system and method for graphical representation of spatial data. A disclosed video display system is capable of presenting a layout of graphics objects as part of a displayed image. The system provides in the displayed image i) a first graphical representation in a first display area of a display and ii) a diagrammatic representation in a second display area. The diagrammatic representation features superimposed graphical elements that are dependent on the first graphical representation. The video display system can provide, for example, a pie chart as the first graphical representation and a map of a geographic area as the diagrammatic representation. The pie chart graphically represents, for example, a breakdown of members by organization, wherein each slice in the pie chart corresponds to a different organization. Superimposed on the map are elements of a bar chart, which is another example of a graphical representation.
G06T 11/20 - Drawing from basic elements, e.g. lines or circles
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
Alma Mater Studiorum—Università di Bologna (Italy)
Inventor
Lu, Jonathan Shiao-En
Degli-Esposti, Vittorio
Vitucci, Enrico Maria
Abstract
A system and method for ray launching in electromagnetic wave propagation modeling. A data-processing system receives a dataset that is representative of one or more structures within an environment, including a structure that is defined in the dataset as having at least a first surface. The data-processing system establishes a bounding box that is representative of the first surface and partitions at least a portion of the bounding box into a first set of tiles. The data-processing system then projects a first set of ray tubes from a predetermined point within the environment, to the tiles in the first set of tiles. Each ray tube in the first set of ray tubes is defined by a corresponding tile in the first set of tiles. The data-processing system evaluates the incidence of bounced ray tubes at a predetermined receive point within the environment and presents a propagation result that is based on the evaluated incidence.
A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
57.
System and method for selecting and highlighting elements of a graphical representation of data with respect to one or more variables
A system and method for selecting and highlighting elements of a graphical representation of data. A disclosed video display system is capable of providing, as part of a displayed image, i) a collection of data points in a first display area of a display and ii) a first graphical representation in a second display area, wherein the graphical elements in the first graphical representation are dependent on the collection of data points. The video display system can provide, for example, a scatter plot as the collection of data points and a pie chart as the first graphical representation, and can superimpose a selection window on the scatter plot, in order to enable a user to specify or select a subset of the data points. The pie chart graphically represents, for example, a breakdown of members by organization, wherein each slice in the pie chart corresponds to a different organization.
A disclosed location engine estimates a wireless terminal as being indoors or outdoors by utilizing information that includes metadata from previous packet-level transmissions involving both i) wireless terminals that are known to have been indoors and ii) wireless terminals that are known to have been outdoors, while the metadata was collected. Based on this metadata for previous transmissions, one or more classification features are computed. Then, for a wireless terminal that is to be classified during a communication transaction (e.g., voice, data, SMS, etc.) with respect to the terminal being either indoors or outdoors, features that are representative of that wireless terminal for the transmissions are evaluated against a characterization that is a composite of one or more previously-computed classification features. The features that are representative of the wireless terminal can be derived from the metadata associated with the wireless terminal during the transaction being analyzed.
Data from a wireless network location system is used in conjunction with the known geographic location of a video surveillance area such that the system according to the present invention infers that a person who appears in an image in the video is the user of a mobile phone estimated to be at the person's location. When facial recognition is applied and the person's identity is thus recognized, an association is generated as between the identity according to the facial recognition and the identity of the co-located mobile phone. This association can be critical when there is no personal identification available for a mobile phone such as a pre-paid mobile.
An apparatus and method for tracking a large number of wireless terminals being used by wireless subscribers in a wireless network and for estimating the location of the terminals at each instant. Some embodiments of the present invention use a coordinated smoothing over time of when location requests should be issued to a location engine, for the large number of subscribers. The smoothing can be used in conjunction with a throttling of location requests, such as when the maximum rate of location request transactions that is supported by the wireless network is exceeded.
Systems and methods are disclosed that initiate mobile-terminated location requests in response to receiving an indication that an audio incident occurred at a given location. The mobile-terminated location requests are initiated for one or more mobile stations within a cell of a wireless network that is known to provide wireless service coverage to a geographic area that comprises the location of the audio incident. In response to the mobile-terminated location request, an estimate of the mobile station's current location is received. Based on the estimated current location of the mobile station relative to the location of the audio incident, the illustrative systems and methods may generate an association between the mobile station and the audio incident. When an association is generated, it is transmitted for possible further processing.
A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are location-dependent traits of electromagnetic signals. In environments where multiple antennas are radiating the same signal, as in the case of distributed antennas or host-repeater configurations, one or more possible locations of the wireless terminal can be designated as improbable based on i) a measure of the propagation delay of a signal traveling between a) a base station and b) the wireless terminal or an infrastructure antenna, or ii) the maximum distance at which a signal is detectable by the wireless terminal. Additionally, the applicable set of values for the location-dependent traits is selected based on similar criteria.
A technique for designing and testing drive-test plan for gathering location-dependent RF data is disclosed. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention, one candidate drive-test plan is chosen for implementation over a second based on an economic cost-benefit analysis of both plans. This is in marked contrast to, for example, a selection of drive-test plans, or the design of a drive-test plan, based on a calibration-cost analysis, in which the data estimated to be the most effective to calibrate a radio-frequency tool is sought for a given cost or the least cost. Although a data-estimated-to-be-most-effective-to-calibrate-a-radio-frequency-tool vs. cost analysis is a species of cost-benefit analyzes in general, it is not an economic cost-benefit analysis because a data-estimated-to-be-most-effective-to-calibrate-a-radio-frequency-tool vs. cost analysis has deficiencies that an economic cost-benefit analysis does not.
A telecommunications system is disclosed comprising a wireless switching center and plurality of base stations that are configured to transmit positioning reference signals. The base stations transmit the positioning reference signals in positioning subframe time intervals. Meanwhile, the base stations also transmit cell-specific reference signals continuously, including during the positioning subframe time intervals. In order to ensure that the wireless terminal measures those cell-specific reference signals during periods of lower interference, the base station imposes a measurement restriction on the wireless terminal, in regard to when it may measure a signal. As a result of utilizing the measurement restriction in this way, in combination with the improved interference characteristics of the positioning reference signals themselves, the ability of the wireless terminal to detect the cell-specific reference signals of more distant cells is improved. The improved signal measurements are then made available to functionalities such as location estimation.
An improved method of tracking an object of interest. The tracking that is enabled by the disclosed tracking engine is based on location estimation of a wireless terminal combined with aerial or satellite imagery of an object of interest, in which a relationship has been determined to exist between the wireless terminal and the object of interest. In some tracking scenarios, a wireless telecommunications network can be used to direct an image-based surveillance system where to start observing, as an object of interest heads away from a heavily populated area or other area with satisfactory wireless coverage. In some other tracking scenarios, the trajectory of the object as derived from the image data enables the tracking engine to target a specific portion of the wireless network to utilize in generating the location estimates, thereby reducing the resource utilization of the wireless network and tracking engine.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
66.
Estimating the location of a wireless terminal based on radio-frequency pattern matching and cooperative measurements
Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (USA)
Inventor
Gordon, Scot Douglas
Monir Vaghefi, Sayed Reza
Buehrer, R. Michael
Abstract
A method for estimating the location of a wireless terminal is disclosed that is based on using: the known location of one or more devices, empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal to the devices, and empirical data that indicates the relative position of the wireless terminal (which is at an unknown location) relative to other wireless terminals that are also at unknown locations.
A system and method are disclosed that provide for the control, by a third party, of call-related services that are provided to a wireless subscriber. For each mobile station whose calls and other communications are to be controlled, the server interposes itself between the serving Visitor Location Register (VLR) of the mobile station and the subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR). Through a sequence of standardized messages, the server represents itself to the unsuspecting HLR as the mobile station's new serving VLR. The server receives from the subscriber's HLR a first set of subscriber data that comprises data related to call-service permissions. The server then modifies a parameter from the first set, restricting an end-user service to the mobile station. The server then transmits the modified parameter to the serving VLR, which is used to block one or more types of calls that involve the mobile station.
A technique for deriving the locations of one or more wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for the base station location coordinates, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current base station coordinates, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated base station coordinate values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the base station coordinate values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
A method and apparatus are disclosed for estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a geographic zone. The illustrative embodiment employs a pattern classifier that is trained on traits of electromagnetic signals at various locations. A computer-executable program is then generated based on the trained pattern classifier, and the program is installed and executed on a subscribed identity module of the terminal.
A technique for estimating the geo-location of a mobile station, based on signal measurements or other data that are obtained from both the control plane and the user plane. Through the coordination of obtaining signal measurements from both planes, the disclosed method and system make location estimations of greater accuracy possible. A data-processing system is configured to receive requests for location estimates from a location-based services (LBS) client or from a different source. The illustrative data-processing system then coordinates the acquisition of location data across both the control plane and the user plane, and correlates the data. The correlated location data can be subsequently used to generate a location estimate.
A method and system that account for one or more propagation-time components in a transmission path between a base station and a wireless terminal in a coverage area being served by the system. One such component is in the base station equipment between the radio that serves a wireless terminal and the antenna element that radiates and/or receives electromagnetic signals that involve the terminal. Another component of the transmission path is the one or more paths over which a radiated signal travels between the base station antenna element and the wireless terminal. By accounting for these propagation components through the use of measurement data provided by possibly a large number of wireless terminals, a disclosed location engine is able to derive adjusted measurements that are more representative of the propagation-time characteristic being measured by the individual terminals. These adjusted measurements can then be used to estimate the location of a wireless terminal more accurately.
A technique for providing a location estimate of a mobile station, with increased accuracy. An unenhanced estimate of the location of a target mobile station is first obtained. A portable transmitter is then situated in an initial geographic area of interest defined by the unenhanced estimate. The portable transmitter is then tuned to transmit on a particular neighbor base station frequency being reported by the mobile station. When the portable transmitter is moved close enough to the target mobile station, the mobile station stops reporting the neighbor to the mobile's wireless telecommunications network, on account of the interference introduced by the portable transmitter being on that frequency. The estimated distance from the portable transmitter to the target mobile station depends on the transmit signal strength used by the portable transmitter. By considering these details, an enhanced estimate of the location of the mobile station can then be deduced.
An improved method of tracking an object of interest. The tracking that is enabled by the disclosed tracking engine is based on location estimation of a wireless terminal combined with aerial or satellite imagery of an object of interest, in which a relationship has been determined to exist between the wireless terminal and the object of interest. In some tracking scenarios, a wireless telecommunications network can be used to direct an image-based surveillance system where to start observing, as an object of interest heads away from a heavily populated area or other area with satisfactory wireless coverage. In some other tracking scenarios, the trajectory of the object as derived from the image data enables the tracking engine to target a specific portion of the wireless network to utilize in generating the location estimates, thereby reducing the resource utilization of the wireless network and tracking engine.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G06K 9/00 - Methods or arrangements for reading or recognising printed or written characters or for recognising patterns, e.g. fingerprints
74.
Indoor-outdoor detector for estimating the location of a wireless terminal
A disclosed detector estimates the wireless terminal as being indoors or outdoors by utilizing information that includes measurement report data from previous calls involving both i) wireless terminals that are known to have been indoors and ii) wireless terminals that are known to have been outdoors while the measurement report data was collected. Based on this call data, one or more classification features are computed in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Then, for a wireless terminal that is to be classified during a call and with respect to the terminal being either indoors or outdoors, features that are representative of that wireless terminal for the call are evaluated against a characterization that is a composite of one or more previously-computed classification features. The features that are representative of the wireless terminal can be derived from the measurement reports received from the wireless terminal during the call.
A method for estimating the elevation of an wireless terminal inside of a tall structure is described that compensates for differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure between the inside and outside of the structure.
Systems and methods are disclosed that initiate mobile-terminated location requests in response to receiving an indication that an audio incident occurred at a given location. The mobile-terminated location requests are initiated for one or more mobile stations within a cell of a wireless network that is known to provide wireless service coverage to a geographic area that comprises the location of the audio incident. In response to the mobile-terminated location request, an estimate of the mobile station's current location is received. Based on the estimated current location of the mobile station relative to the location of the audio incident, the illustrative systems and methods may generate an association between the mobile station and the audio incident. When an association is generated, it is transmitted for possible further processing.
A method and system that account for one or more propagation-time components in a transmission path between a base station and a wireless terminal in a coverage area being served by the system. One such component is in the base station equipment between the radio that serves a wireless terminal and the antenna element that radiates and/or receives electromagnetic signals that involve the terminal. Another component of the transmission path is the one or more paths over which a radiated signal travels between the base station antenna element and the wireless terminal. By accounting for these propagation components through the use of measurement data provided by possibly a large number of wireless terminals, a disclosed location engine is able to derive adjusted measurements that are more representative of the propagation-time characteristic being measured by the individual terminals. These adjusted measurements can then be used to estimate the location of a wireless terminal more accurately.
A technique for providing a location estimate of a mobile station, with increased accuracy. An unenhanced estimate of the location of a target mobile station is first obtained. A portable transmitter is then situated in an initial geographic area of interest defined by the unenhanced estimate. The portable transmitter is then tuned to transmit on a particular neighbor base station frequency being reported by the mobile station. When the portable transmitter is moved close enough to the target mobile station, the mobile station stops reporting the neighbor to the mobile's wireless telecommunications network, on account of the interference introduced by the portable transmitter being on that frequency. The estimated distance from the portable transmitter to the target mobile station depends on the transmit signal strength used by the portable transmitter. By considering these details, an enhanced estimate of the location of the mobile station can then be deduced.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
H04W 52/36 - Transmission power control [TPC] using constraints in the total amount of available transmission power with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
A technique for deriving timing information across wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for base station time-offset parameters, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current time-offset values, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated time-offset values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the time-offset values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
80.
Estimating proximity to a mobile station by manipulating a signal that is decodable, but unexpected in the wireless network serving the mobile station
A technique for providing a location estimate of a mobile station, with increased accuracy. An unenhanced estimate of the location of a target mobile station is first obtained. A portable transmitter is then situated in an initial geographic area defined by the unenhanced estimate. The transmitter is then tuned to transmit a particular identifier on a particular frequency. When the transmitter is moved close enough to the mobile, the mobile starts reporting the identifier to the mobile's wireless network. Because the identifier and frequency are carefully selected so as not into interfere with ongoing operations of the wireless network, the wireless network itself merely regards the reported data to be invalid for handoff purposes. The estimated distance from the transmitter to the mobile depends on the transmit signal strength used by the transmitter. By considering these details, an enhanced estimate of the location of the mobile can then be deduced.
A location engine that accounts for propagation-time components in an antenna system disposed between i) the base station that serves a wireless terminal and ii) the airwaves over which electromagnetic signals propagate between the antenna elements and wireless terminal. By considering and accounting for these propagation components, the location engine is able to estimate information about the antenna system, such as i) whether the antenna system is a distributed antenna system and ii) the configuration of the antenna system. Based on this estimated information, the location engine is also able to estimate adjustments that can be made to location-related measurements, and, with these adjustments, estimate the location of one or more wireless terminals.
A disclosed detector estimates the wireless terminal as being indoors or outdoors by utilizing information that includes measurement report data from previous calls involving both i) wireless terminals that are known to have been indoors and ii) wireless terminals that are known to have been outdoors while the measurement report data was collected. Based on this call data, one or more classification features are computed in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. Then, for a wireless terminal that is to be classified during a call and with respect to the terminal being either indoors or outdoors, features that are representative of that wireless terminal for the call are evaluated against a characterization that is a composite of one or more previously-computed classification features. The features that are representative of the wireless terminal can be derived from the measurement reports received from the wireless terminal during the call.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
83.
Identifying suspects and witness to shooting based on examination of calls made after shooting
An illustrative telecommunications analysis server analyzes telecommunications-event records and telecommunications-activity records associated with mobile stations operating in one or more wireless networks to infer whether a spike in initiated telecommunications activities occurred in a period of time and from a geographic area that closely correlate with the time and location of an audio incident. The server corroborates that the audio incident likely occurred based on the inferred spike in initiated telecommunications activities from one or more mobile stations. The illustrative server identifies the mobile stations that were likely within earshot of the incident and actively initiating telecommunications immediately thereafter.
A technique for deriving the locations of one or more wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for the base station location coordinates, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current base station coordinates, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated base station coordinate values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the base station coordinate values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
A technique for deriving timing information across wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for base station time-offset parameters, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current time-offset values, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated time-offset values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the time-offset values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
H04W 4/00 - Services specially adapted for wireless communication networksFacilities therefor
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
A technique is disclosed for estimating the lateral location of a wireless terminal in a geographic region. The technique is based on the recognition that some three-dimensional locations of the wireless terminal are improbable, and that measurements of temperature and atmospheric pressure at the wireless terminal and outside can be used to determine which lateral locations of the wireless terminal are improbable.
A method for estimating the elevation of an wireless terminal inside of a tall structure is described that compensates for differences in temperature and atmospheric pressure between the inside and outside of the structure.
A method and system that account for one or more propagation-time components in a transmission path between a base station and a wireless terminal in a coverage area being served by the system. One such component is in the base station equipment between the radio that serves a wireless terminal and the antenna element that radiates and/or receives electromagnetic signals that involve the terminal. Another component of the transmission path is the one or more paths over which a radiated signal travels between the base station antenna element and the wireless terminal. By accounting for these propagation components through the use of measurement data provided by possibly a large number of wireless terminals, a disclosed location engine is able to derive adjusted measurements that are more representative of the propagation-time characteristic being measured by the individual terminals. These adjusted measurements can then be used to estimate the location of a wireless terminal more accurately.
A technique for providing a location estimate of a mobile station, with increased accuracy. An unenhanced estimate of the location of a target mobile station is first obtained. A portable transmitter is then situated in an initial geographic area of interest defined by the unenhanced estimate. The portable transmitter is then tuned to transmit on a particular neighbor base station frequency being reported by the mobile station. When the portable transmitter is moved close enough to the target mobile station, the mobile station stops reporting the neighbor to the mobile's wireless telecommunications network, on account of the interference introduced by the portable transmitter being on that frequency. The estimated distance from the portable transmitter to the target mobile station depends on the transmit signal strength used by the portable transmitter. By considering these details, an enhanced estimate of the location of the mobile station can then be deduced.
A location engine that accounts for propagation-time components in an antenna system disposed between i) the base station that serves a wireless terminal and ii) the airwaves over which electromagnetic signals propagate between the antenna elements and wireless terminal. By considering and accounting for these propagation components, the location engine is able to estimate information about the antenna system, such as i) whether the antenna system is a distributed antenna system and ii) the configuration of the antenna system. Based on this estimated information, the location engine is also able to estimate adjustments that can be made to location-related measurements, and, with these adjustments, estimate the location of one or more wireless terminals.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
91.
Identifying suspects and witness to shooting based on examination of calls made after shooting
An illustrative telecommunications analysis server analyzes telecommunications-event records and telecommunications-activity records associated with mobile stations operating in one or more wireless networks to infer whether a spike in initiated telecommunications activities occurred in a period of time and from a geographic area that closely correlate with the time and location of an audio incident. The server corroborates that the audio incident likely occurred based on the inferred spike in initiated telecommunications activities from one or more mobile stations. The illustrative server identifies the mobile stations that were likely within earshot of the incident and actively initiating telecommunications immediately thereafter.
A technique for deriving timing information across wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for base station time-offset parameters, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current time-offset values, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated time-offset values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the time-offset values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
93.
Base station location derived from wireless terminal information
A technique for deriving the locations of one or more wireless base stations is disclosed. After initializing values for the base station location coordinates, a server acquires reference coordinates of a wireless terminal, which are provided from an independent source, and also acquires values for one or more time-of-occurrences of events associated with signals that travel between the wireless terminal and the base stations. The server generates predicted coordinates of the wireless terminal, based in part on the current base station coordinates, by using trilateration. The server then generates updated base station coordinate values, based on a method of least squares, in which each residual is a difference between the reference and predicted coordinates of each wireless terminal location, for one or more wireless terminals. The server modifies the base station coordinate values so as to minimize the least-squares function.
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
94.
Third-party control of call-related services for a mobile station and subscriber
A system and method are disclosed that provide for the control, by a third party, of call-related services that are provided to a wireless subscriber. For each mobile station whose calls and other communications are to be controlled, the server interposes itself between the serving Visitor Location Register (VLR) of the mobile station and the subscriber's Home Location Register (HLR). Through a sequence of standardized messages, the server represents itself to the unsuspecting HLR as the mobile station's new serving VLR. The server receives from the subscriber's HLR a first set of subscriber data that comprises data related to call-service permissions. The server then modifies a parameter from the first set, restricting an end-user service to the mobile station. The server then transmits the modified parameter to the serving VLR, which is used to block one or more types of calls that involve the mobile station.
A location engine is disclosed that estimates the location of a wireless terminal using (i) cell ID, (ii) triangulation, (iii) GPS, (iv) RF pattern-matching, or (v) any combination of them. The location engine is adept at discounting the contribution of apparently reasonable but erroneous data. The location engine receives data that are evidence of the location of a wireless terminal at each of a plurality of different times. The location engine then generates an initial hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal at each time assuming that all of the data is correct and equally probative. Next, the location engine generates one alternative hypothesis for each initial hypothesis and each datum assuming that the datum is erroneous. Finally, the location engine generates the estimate for the location of the wireless terminal at each time by determining which combination of initial hypotheses and alternative hypothesis is the most self-consistent.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
H04W 4/02 - Services making use of location information
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
96.
Estimating the location of a wireless terminal despite apparently reasonable but misleading or erroneous empirical data
A location engine is disclosed that estimates the location of a wireless terminal using (i) cell ID, (ii) triangulation, (iii) GPS, (iv) RF pattern-matching, or (v) any combination of them. The location engine is adept at discounting the contribution of apparently reasonable but erroneous data. The location engine receives data that are evidence of the location of a wireless terminal at each of a plurality of different times. The location engine then generates an initial hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal at each time assuming that all of the data is correct and equally probative. Next, the location engine generates one alternative hypothesis for each initial hypothesis and each datum assuming that the datum is erroneous. Finally, the location engine generates the estimate for the location of the wireless terminal at each time by determining which combination of initial hypotheses and alternative hypothesis is the most self-consistent.
A system and method are disclosed for triggering location estimation of mobile stations in a geographic region of interest. The disclosed system includes a list of International Mobile Subscriber Identities (“IMSI”) used to track which mobile stations are to have location estimates generated, a database of Network Measurement Reports (“NMR”) used for generating the location estimates, and a location engine. The system operates as a group of concurrently executing processes that i) process IMSIs and NMRs that are extracted by and received from probes that monitor communication links; ii) generate location estimates of mobile stations in the region of interest, based on a sequential indexing of the IMSI list; iii) maintain the freshness of the NMR database; and iv) maintain the freshness of the IMSI list. These processes operate such that the triggering of the location estimations occurs asynchronously with respect to the detection of information on the communication links.
A technique is disclosed for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region. The technique is based on a two-part recognition, the first part being that there are certain optical and acoustic characteristics that are present in some environments while not being present in others, such as lighting flicker and sound reverberation. The second part of the recognition is that a correlation exists between the presence of flicker and reverberation in the vicinity of a wireless terminal and whether the wireless terminal is indoors or not. Under certain environmental conditions, flicker and reverberation are often present indoors but not outdoors. By accounting for flicker and reverberation being detected or not being detected in the vicinity of the wireless terminal, the disclosed technique is able to estimate whether the wireless terminal is indoors, which the technique also uses to improve the location estimate.
H04W 24/00 - Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
99.
Estimating the location of a wireless terminal in wireless telecommunications systems that comprise distributed and/or repeater antennas
A technique for estimating the location of a wireless terminal at an unknown location in a geographic region is disclosed. The technique is based on the recognition that there are location-dependent traits of electromagnetic signals. In environments where multiple antennas are radiating the same signal, as in the case of distributed antennas or host-repeater configurations, one or more possible locations of the wireless terminal can be designated as improbable based on i) a measure of the propagation delay of a signal traveling between a) a base station and b) the wireless terminal or an infrastructure antenna, or ii) the maximum distance at which a signal is detectable by the wireless terminal. Additionally, the applicable set of values for the location-dependent traits is selected based on similar criteria.
An illustrative geo-temporal analysis system analyzes telecommunications-event records and other records associated with wireless terminals to infer a collaborative relationship between users who do not telecommunicate with each other, based on how precisely a first geo-temporal pattern matches a second geo-temporal pattern. When a collaborative relationship is inferred, the system transmits an indication thereof and a request for an estimated location of the respective wireless terminals.
