Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of estimating a distance to a wireless access point in an indoor environment using a signal propagation model begins with the receipt of a first received signal strength value based on a signal received at a first device from a wireless access point in the indoor environment. Based on a predetermined characteristic of the indoor environment, an estimate is made that the received signal originated from a first distance from the first device. A signal propagation characteristic is estimated based on the first signal strength and the estimated first distance and a plurality of signal samples are received from a plurality of devices. Finally, a signal propagation model for the indoor environment is created based on the signal propagation characteristic and the signal samples, and a distance to any wireless access point in the indoor environment is estimated based on the signal propagation model.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a wireless access point is described Location data points are collected from a plurality of mobile devices associated with a particular access point. The collected location data points are organized into at least two clusters. The location data points are further grouped into sessions based on a characteristic of the location data points. A rank qualifier is applied to each of the organized clusters. The location of the wireless access point is determined based on one or more of the organized clusters.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for real-time information sharing. A server receives, from a first user device, a request to create an event, a start time and an end time for the event, and a request to share information among a group of user devices only during a sharing duration associated with the start time and the end time. The server receives information from the respective user devices in the group during the sharing duration, and distributes the received information to the group of user devices only during the sharing duration. The distributed information comprises at least one of geographic locations of the group of user devices and imagery taken by one or more respective devices in the group during the event. After the end time, contact information related to one or more user devices in the group is distributed to other user devices in the group.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for geographic annotation of electronic resources. In one aspect, a method includes generating a spatial index for a plurality of resources from a plurality of distinct publishers, including, for each resource of the plurality of resources: receiving a plurality of location data points for the resource, each location data point corresponding to one of a plurality of requests for the resource, and assigning each location data point for the resource to a spatial cluster of a plurality of spatial clusters, each spatial cluster corresponding to a particular geographic region. The spatial index is stored. The spatial index is used to identify a plurality of address locations for resources assigned to a spatial cluster corresponding to a first geographic region in response to a request from a requester to identify resources associated with the first geographic region.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a wireless access point is described Location data points are collected from a plurality of mobile devices associated with a particular access point. The collected location data points are organized into at least two clusters. The location data points are further grouped into sessions based on a characteristic of the location data points. A rank qualifier is applied to each of the organized clusters. The location of the wireless access point is determined based on one or more of the organized clusters.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems and methods to control whether data is collected from an accelerometer of a mobile device based on a predictive model of the mobile device's past movements are described. A mobile device may transmit time-stamped accelerometer data to a networked computer. The networked computer may use the received data to build a movement prediction model for the associated mobile device and transmit the model back to the mobile device. The mobile device may execute an algorithm to turn off power to the accelerometer during periods of time that movement is known based on the movement prediction model. Decreasing the time that data is collected from the accelerometer improves battery life performance of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for activating a feature on a mobile device based on social proximity. Information associated with a first user of a first mobile device and a second user of a second mobile device is received. A degree of spatial proximity between the first device and the second device is estimated based on the received information. When the estimated degree of spatial proximity exceeds a threshold, a degree of social proximity is estimated between the first user and the second user based on the received information. Finally, based on the measure of social proximity, a feature on the first device is activated.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of estimating a distance to a wireless access point in an indoor environment using a signal propagation model begins with the receipt of a first received signal strength value based on a signal received at a first device from a wireless access point in the indoor environment. Based on a predetermined characteristic of the indoor environment, an estimate is made that the received signal originated from a first distance from the first device. A signal propagation characteristic is estimated based on the first signal strength and the estimated first distance and a plurality of signal samples are received from a plurality of devices. Finally, a signal propagation model for the indoor environment is created based on the signal propagation characteristic and the signal samples, and a distance to any wireless access point in the indoor environment is estimated based on the signal propagation model.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for identifying MAC addresses of a wireless access point (AP) are provided. Two MAC addresses within a spatial proximity are selected from a spatial index of MAC addresses and locations and analyzed based on a signal strength score and a similarity score. If the signal strength score is above a signal strength score threshold, a similarity score between the two MAC addresses is determined. The similarity score is based on the location and relative distance between the selected two MAC addresses, the previously determined signal strength score, and a MAC address similarity metric that determines the heterogeneity between the two MAC addresses. If the similarity score is above a similarity score threshold, the selected two MAC addresses are considered to belong to the same physical AP.

Abstract: A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method, system and computer program product of providing a user with a transportation mode transition location is provided. The method begins with monitoring movement of a mobile device associated with the user using a first transportation mode. Based on monitoring of the movement of the mobile device associated with the user, determining that the user has made a transition from the first transportation mode to a second transportation mode. An estimated location of the transition location is stored. Finally, the estimated location of the transition is provided to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for real-time information sharing. A server receives, from a first user device, a request to create an event and to share information among a group of user devices only within a predetermined time period. The server receives information from the respective user devices in the group during the predetermined time period, and distributes the received information to the group of user devices during the predetermined time period. The information comprises at least one of geographic locations of the group of user devices and still pictures or video taken by one or more of the group of user devices during the event.

Abstract: In general, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for detecting proximity between computing devices. A first computing device may query a server device. Subsequent to querying, the first computing device may receive instructions from the server device to re-query the server device at a first specified time. The first computing device may re-query the server device at the first specified time. Subsequent to re-querying, the first computing device may receive an address associated with a second computing device and instructions from the server device to connect to the second computing device at a second specified time. The first computing device may connect with the second computing device at the second specified time based at least in part on the address associated with the second computing device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to determining the geographic location of network entities. An embodiment is a method of determining the geographic location of a host including, identifying at least one gateway communicatively coupled to the host, determining a geographic location of the at least one gateway based upon a proximity relationship between the gateway and a localizable entity, and determining the geographic location of the host based upon the determined geographic location of the at least one gateway. Another embodiment is a method for a host to determine its geographic location by determining reachability information to communicatively coupled network entities, sending the reachability information to a location server, and by receiving geographic location information from the location server.

Abstract: A method for minimizing handoff latencies when a handoff is performed in a wireless network. An access point (AP) or base station associated to a current wireless station (STA) allows information required for a reassociation to the STA to be propagated to handoff-capable neighboring APs or base stations. When the STA moves, a neighboring AP or base station performs the reassociation to the STA on the basis of context. When a handoff procedure is performed, the time taken to receive context of a corresponding STA is reduced, such that a fast handoff can be implemented.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for tracking users based upon wireless fingerprint information are provided. These include accessing proximity records, clustering the proximity records based upon time information and user information to generate a plurality of clusters, identifying one or more events based upon the generated clusters, and outputting information related to the identified one or more events. Each proximity record includes user information. User information includes at least a first user identifier and a second user identifier respectively identifying a first user and a second user, and time information. Time information specifies one or more times when the first user and the second user have respective wireless fingerprints that are within a threshold fingerprint distance of each other.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of estimating a location of an access point is provided. The method includes storing a first and a second sample respectively received from a first and a second mobile device, both samples including a location of their respective mobile devices, an access point identifier from the access point, and a value corresponding to a signal strength of a signal from the access point measured at their respective mobile device. The cells of a matrix are populated with probabilities based on mobile device locations and the signal strength values. Finally, the location of the access point is estimated based on the matrix.

Abstract: In general, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for detecting proximity between computing devices. A first computing device may query a server device. Subsequent to querying, the first computing device may receive instructions from the server device to re-query the server device at a first specified time. The first computing device may re-query the server device at the first specified time. Subsequent to re-querying, the first computing device may receive an address associated with a second computing device and instructions from the server device to connect to the second computing device at a second specified time. The first computing device may connect with the second computing device at the second specified time based at least in part on the address associated with the second computing device.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method of estimating a location of an access point is provided. The method includes storing a first and a second sample respectively received from a first and a second mobile device, both samples including a location of their respective mobile devices, an access point identifier from the access point, and a value corresponding to a signal strength of a signal from the access point measured at their respective mobile device. A first and second platform profile is selected based on characteristics of the respective first and second mobile devices. The cells of a matrix are populated with probabilities based on mobile device locations, the signal strength values and platform profiles based on platform profiles associated with mobile devices. Finally, the location of the access point is estimated based on the matrix.

Abstract: A mobile network solution provides secure and portable wireless networking service to mobile users with devices equipped with wireless network interfaces. The Secure Nomadic Wireless Network, or SNOWNET, follows a hierarchical approach. Special SNOWNET nodes are deployed in the area where networking service is needed and form a backbone network. At the same time, SNOWNET nodes provide local access service to regular mobile clients. SNOWNET provides security through authentication of the nodes and clients, as well as through encryption of the data.