Abstract: A method for locating an entity attached to a locator device comprises receiving, at the locator device, a message over a cellular network. Responsive to receiving the message, a call over the cellular network is automatically initiated to enable a party answering the call to determine a location of the locator device.

Abstract: A Wide Area Sensor Network (WASN) is disclosed that utilizes wideband software defined radios (SDRs) to monitor RF energy over a wide frequency range, detect when critical frequencies are being jammed or otherwise interfered with, and locate the source of the interference so that the interference can be eliminated. The WASN may use one or more geolocation techniques In addition, the WASN may detect and locate unauthorized transmitters as well as estimate the transmitted power of authorized transmitters to assure they are not transmitting more power than authorized.

Abstract: In a wireless location system configured to use a baseline correlation method, an iterative approach to increasing location accuracy is disclosed. The quality of received signals is ordered from highest to lowest and used to calculate an initial location. The initial location is modified using the lower quality signals as constrained by the time and frequency deviation from the initial location and velocity estimate.

Abstract: In a wireless location system, a method for determining frame and slot timing information for use in receiving an uplink signal from a user equipment (UE) device assigned to an uplink Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH) includes receiving signals in the uplink DPCCH at a location measurement unit (LMU) of the WLS. The method also includes detecting a predefined bit pattern known to be present in a plurality of predefined slots of the uplink DPCCH. Next, the frame and slot timing information are determined for the uplink DPCCH based on the detected bit pattern. Finally, the frame and slot timing information is used for collecting uplink signals from the UE for use in location processing.

Abstract: A serving mobile location center (SMLC) receives a position request concerning a mobile-of-interest (MOI) operating in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode, and in response a wireless location system (WLS) is tasked to locate the MOI. A plurality of location measurement units (LMUs) are instructed to receive and digitize radio frequency (RF) energy. At the LMUs, a signal of interest is received and cross-correlated with a known training sequence to produce a received detection metric. The detection metric is weighted to favor the MOI even in the presence of interference from other mobile devices. The SMLC selects the LMU with the best weighted detection metric as a reference site and selects two or more LMUs with lesser weighted detection metrics above a threshold as co-operating sites. The received signal of interest is demodulated and demodulated data are distributed to the co-operating sites.

Abstract: Location of small, consumer deployed femto-cells cannot be determined by the usual site survey methods. Location of attached mobiles allows for a proxy location of the femto-cell that can then be used for wireless network planning including the provisioning of a calculated default emergency services location for the femto-cell.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption in a user terminal, especially mobile devices, a system and method are introduced that use terrestrial beacons as a location proxy when satellite positioning signals are not available. The geographic locations of the terrestrial beacons need not be known to use the beacons as a proxy for a satellite positioning signals derived location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for position determination is provided using measurements from both Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers and terrestrial-based Uplink Time Difference of Arrival (UTDOA) receivers. The method involves the transformation of downlink satellite measurements into equivalent UTDOA measurements by computing comparable cross-correlation coefficients and time differences of arrival with respect to a UTDOA reference station. The method includes a weighting operation whereby the relative weights of the UTDOA measurements and the relative weights of the GPS measurements are adjusted based on a theoretical scaling followed by empirical adjustments. The method further involves the efficient computation and combining of metrics that are used to minimize the weighted error between candidate location solutions and the UTDOA and GPS measurements.

Abstract: A locking clasp provides security against opening without assistance to ensure that items employing the clasp remain locked and affixed in place. In addition, the locking clasp is easy to lock, aesthetically unobtrusive, and comfortable to wear.

Abstract: Illustrative embodiments of the inventive subject matter described herein include, but are not limited to, the following: a femto-cell device, methods for use by a wireless location system (WLS) in locating a femto-cell device, and a wireless location system having certain features relating to the location of femto-cell devices. A femto-cell device used in a wireless communications system (WCS) includes a location subsystem configured to acquire information identifying the geographic location of the femto-cell device. The device also includes an antenna subsystem, a radio frequency (RF) block coupled to the antenna subsystem, a baseband block coupled to the RF block, and a communications block coupled to the baseband block. In addition, the device is configured to communicate with the WCS, including communicating at least some of the location information to the WCS.

Abstract: A method for locating an entity attached to a locator device. The method comprises of receiving, at the locator device, a message over a cellular network; and responsive to receiving the message, automatically initiating a call over the cellular network to enable a party answering the call to determine a location of the locator device.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise a wireless receiver to receive a Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-directional Radio Range (VOR) signal comprising a frequency-modulated (FM) component; an analog-to-digital converter to generate a digital signal based on the VOR signal, the digital signal comprising data representing the FM component; and a FM phase circuit comprising a correlator to generate a correlation peak based on the data representing the FM component and an ideal representation of the FM component, and a peak detector to determine a phase of the FM component based on the correlation peak.

Abstract: A serving mobile location center (SMLC) receives a position request concerning a mobile-of-interest (MOI) operating in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) mode, and in response a wireless location system (WLS) is tasked to locate the MOI. A plurality of location measurement units (LMUs) are instructed to receive and digitize radio frequency (RF) energy. At the LMUs, a signal of interest is received and cross-correlated with a known training sequence to produce a received detection metric. The detection metric is weighted to favor the MOI even in the presence of interference from other mobile devices. The SMLC selects the LMU with the best weighted detection metric as a reference site and selects two or more LMUs with lesser weighted detection metrics above a threshold as co-operating sites. The received signal of interest is demodulated and demodulated data are distributed to the co-operating sites.

Abstract: One embodiment takes the form of a system for locating wireless transmitters employing an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) digital modulation scheme, which comprises transmitting signal components over narrowband frequency channels spanning a wideband channel. The system includes a first receiving system configured to receive a fraction of the signal components transmitted by a first wireless transmitter to be located in a fraction of the narrowband frequency channels, and to process the fraction of the signal components to derive location related measurements. The system further includes at least a second receiving system configured to receive the fraction of the signal components transmitted by the first wireless transmitter, and to process this fraction of the signal components to derive location related measurements.

Abstract: A system for locating a mobile wireless device is configured to communicate with a wireless communications system via a control plane and a user plane. The user plane includes a data channel, and the system includes a server configured to communicate via the data channel with a wireless device to be located. The server obtains from the wireless device information useful for tasking the wireless location system. The information useful for tasking may include information indicative of at least one cell site neighboring a serving cell site with which the wireless device is communicating. This may include information indicative of a serving cell site, a reverse channel through which the wireless device is communicating, and/or a hopping pattern, etc. The system may be used, for example, in connection with a GSM or UMTS wireless communications system.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise a first receiver to receive a wireless television signal; a first measurement unit to generate a measurement of the wireless television signal; wherein a position of the apparatus is determined based on the measurement of the wireless television signal; a second receiver to receive a wireless local area network (WLAN) signal; and a second measurement unit to generate a measurement of the WLAN signal; wherein a position of a transmitter of the WLAN signal is determined based on the position of the apparatus and the measurement of the WLAN signal.

Abstract: One illustrative embodiment takes the form of a system for locating wireless transmitters employing an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) digital modulation scheme. The OFDM scheme comprises transmitting signal components over narrowband frequency channels spanning a wideband channel. The system includes a first receiving system configured to receive a fraction of the signal components transmitted by a first wireless transmitter to be located in a fraction of the narrowband frequency channels, and to process the fraction of the signal components to derive location related measurements. The system further includes at least a second receiving system configured to receive the fraction of the signal components transmitted by the first wireless transmitter, and to process this fraction of the signal components to derive location related measurements.

Abstract: A Wide Area Sensor Network (WASN) is disclosed that utilizes wideband software defined radios (SDRs) to monitor RF energy over a wide frequency range, detect when critical frequencies are being jammed or otherwise interfered with, and locate the source of the interference so that the interference can be eliminated. The WASN may use one or more geolocation techniques In addition, the WASN may detect and locate unauthorized transmitters as well as estimate the transmitted power of authorized transmitters to assure they are not transmitting more power than authorized.

Abstract: A method for improving the results of radio location systems that incorporate weighted least squares optimization generalizes the weighted least squares method by using maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability metrics to incorporate characteristics of the specific positioning problem (e.g., UTDOA). Weighted least squares methods are typically used by TDOA and related location systems including TDOA/AOA and TDOA/GPS hybrid systems. The incorporated characteristics include empirical information about TDOA errors and the probability distribution of the mobile position relative to other network elements. A technique is provided for modeling the TDOA error distribution and the a priori mobile position. A method for computing a MAP decision metric is provided using the new probability distribution models. Testing with field data shows that this method yields significant improvement over existing weighted least squares methods.

Abstract: In an overlay, U-TDOA-based, Wireless Location System, LMUs typically co-located with BTSs, are used to collect radio signaling both in the forward and reverse channels. Techniques are used to compensate for sparse LMU deployments where sections of the U-TDOA service area are uplink demodulation or downlink beacon discovery limited.