Abstract: This invention relates to a method for mapping Wi-Fi fingerprints in a given geographical area. A user, provided with a receiver, sequentially collects Wi-Fi signal strength measurements by moving along the path thereof, with each measurement being constituted by a vector of RSS levels received from the various Wi-Fi access points. A graph that is representative of the path is determined from the sequence of measurements. Thanks to a geometric model of the area, a topographical characterization of the path is carried out on the basis of the previously obtained graph. The positions of the various measurements of the sequence are provided by the topographical characterization and stored with said measurements in a database.

Abstract: A device and a method of collecting information about access points in a wireless telecommunication system, for example RSS fingerprints in a Wi-Fi network, are disclosed. Information can be collected automatically along a user's path, using a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal is provided with display means for displaying the zone in which the mobile terminal moves around. The mobile terminal also includes pointing means to point at a location on a map. When the user is positioned at the location pointed at by the pointing means, the user can validates the user's position using validation means. Information collected along the path and coordinates of each validated position are time-stamped using a clock in the mobile terminal.