Abstract: Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, in response to a user application request to determine a location of a user-device having a Wi-Fi radio, the Wi-Fi radio is triggered to transmit a request to Wi-Fi access points within range. Messages are received from the Wi-Fi access points, each message identifying the Wi-Fi access point sending the message. Signal strength of the messages received from the Wi-Fi access points is calculated. A reference database of stored locations for Wi-Fi access points in a target area is accessed to obtain the stored locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points. Based on the number of the identified Wi-Fi access points identified via received messages, a corresponding location-determination algorithm is chosen from a plurality of location-determination algorithms. The location of the user-device is determined using the stored locations for the identified Wi-Fi access points, the signal strengths of the received messages and the chosen location-determination algorithm.

Abstract: The invention features a method of estimating an expected error of a position estimate for use in a WLAN positioning system that estimates the position of a WLAN-enabled device. The WLAN-enabled device receives signals transmitted by a WLAN access point in range of the WLAN-enabled device. The method estimates the position of the WLAN-enabled device based on the received signals from the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device. The method also estimates an expected error of the position estimate based on characteristics of the WLAN access point in range of the WLAN enabled device, wherein the expected error predicts a relative accuracy of the position estimate.

Abstract: Methods and systems of hybrid positioning are provided for increasing the reliability and accuracy of location estimation. According to embodiments of the invention, the quality of reported locations from specific sources of location is assessed. Satellite and non-satellite positioning systems provide initial positioning estimates. For each positioning system relevant information is collected and based on the collected information each system is assigned appropriate weight.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining the position of a WLAN positioning system (WPS) and satellite positioning system (SPS) enabled device. The method can include determining an initial WPS position of the device using WPS, calculating an error region around the initial WPS position of the device, dividing the error region into a plurality of points, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites in view of the device, determining a variation in a receiver clock bias for each point within the error region based on the satellite measurements from at least two satellites, selecting the point with the lowest variation in the receiver clock bias, and determining whether or not to use the point with the lowest variation in receiver clock bias to refine the initial WPS position of the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing contextual information about a place within a range of a wireless signal beacon are provided. A reference database of wireless beacons stores attributes associated with wireless beacons. Wireless-enabled devices and/or server systems receive information identifying wireless beacons in range of the wireless-enabled devices and determine a received signal strength indication of the wireless beacons. The wireless-enabled devices and/or server systems then retrieve from the reference database extended attributes that are associated with the wireless beacons and determine at least one associated contextual attribute about the place within range of the wireless beacons.

Abstract: A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to reduce arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, Wi-Fi identity information and GPS location information is detected. The location information is used to reverse triangulate the position of the detected Wi-Fi access point; and the position of the detected access point is recorded in a reference database.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of relocation of reference points in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location of a designated wireless device is not its accurate present location includes determining a set of reference points associated with the device, which are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or other devices having a relationship with the designated device. The existence of the relationship is based on the devices being within signal reception range of a same position within a selected period of time. The method includes retrieving attributes of the reference points and/or of the relationships and determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location associated with the designated device is not its present location based on the attributes of the reference points of the set and/or of the relationships.

Abstract: Systems for and methods of determining likelihood of reference point identity duplication in a positioning system are disclosed. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated identifier is shared by wireless devices includes determining reference points associated with any wireless device having a designated identifier. The reference points are a geographic position at which signals from any of the wireless devices were detected and/or wireless devices from which signals were also detected within a selected period of time during which the signals from any of the wireless devices having the designated identifier were detected. The method also includes determining statistical information about a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the reference points and determining a measure of likelihood that the designated identifier is shared by wireless devices is based on the statistical information.

Abstract: A method of and system for estimating temporal demographics of mobile users is disclosed. A method of estimating demographic information associated with a selected geographical area includes, for at least one individual, determining a selected geographical area along a portion of a track of travel of the individual and determining demographic information associated with the at least one individual. The method also includes estimating a ratio of individuals transiting into the area versus individuals that are residents of the area and estimating demographic information associated with the area based on the estimated ratio and based on demographic information associated with the at least one individual.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for estimating the probability of movement of access points in a WLAN-based positioning system are provided. Disclosed are methods to quantify the probability that a particular location estimate of a mobile device made by a Wi-Fi based positioning system is correct to within an arbitrary accuracy. Implementations use observed access point cluster size, age information for access point location determination, and/or the probability that one or more access points detected by the mobile device have relocated based on historic information about the movement of a collection of access points to make the probability determinations.

Abstract: A method for estimating the speed and bearing of a Wi-Fi enabled device using WLAN radio signals in a WLAN based location service is provided. A method used to estimate a speed of travel of a Wi-Fi enabled device comprises the Wi-Fi enabled device receiving signals transmitted by Wi-Fi access points in range of the Wi-Fi enabled device, and using the signals to estimate the speed of and/or direction of travel of the Wi-Fi enabled device.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter relates to a method and system for increasing the accuracy of a WLAN based position estimate using cellular positioning information. In some embodiments, the method can include determining a set of possible WLAN location solutions for a WLAN and cellular enabled device based on one or more WLAN access points, obtaining cellular measurements from at least one cell tower, and determining the best WLAN location solution from the set of possible WLAN location solutions using the cellular measurements. In one embodiment, the method can include using the cellular measurements from the at least one cell tower to provide a cellular based location estimate for the WLAN and cellular enabled device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of passive and active scanning of WLAN-enabled access points to estimate position of a WLAN positioning device. A device estimates the position of itself. The device includes a WLAN radio module for receiving WLAN signals, extraction logic for extracting information from said received WLAN signals to identify the WLAN APs, and logic to cooperate with a WLAN-based positioning system. The WLAN radio module includes a phase for active scanning of WLAN APs in range of said device and a phase of passive scanning of WLAN APs in range of said device, and the passive scanning phase scans only a pre-determined and selected subset of WLAN channels. Under certain embodiments, the WLAN radio module includes a passive scanning phase that simultaneously scans multiple WLAN channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location of a designated wireless device is not its accurate present location includes determining a set of reference points associated with the device, which are a geographic position at which signals from the device were detected and/or other devices having a relationship with the designated device. The existence of the relationship is based on the devices being within signal reception range of a same position within a selected period of time. The method includes retrieving attributes of the reference points and/or of the relationships and determining a measure of likelihood that an estimated geographic location associated with the designated device is not its present location based on the attributes of the reference points of the set and/or of the relationships.

Abstract: Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point has moved relative to its previously recorded location. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves; A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. The recorded location information is used for each of the observed WiFi access points in conjunction with predefined rules to infer whether an observed WiFi access point has moved relative to its recorded location. The reference database is informed of the identity of any observed WiFi access point that is inferred to have moved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an area in which a mobile device may be located is determined using a satellite-based positioning system (SPS). An area in which the mobile device may be located is determined using a wireless local area network based positioning system(WLAN-PS). The area determined using the SPS is compared to the area determined using the WLAN-PS. In response to the area determined using the SPS being remote from the area determined using the WLAN-PS, it is concluded that the one or more WLAN APs have been moved to be about the area determined using the SPS. One or more locations of the one or more WLAN APs are updated in the reference database.

Abstract: Methods of and systems for measuring beacon stability of wireless access points are provided. A method of determining a measure of likelihood that a designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic includes determining a set of reference points associated with a designated wireless device, and retrieving attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with other wireless devices related to the designated wireless device, and/or statistical information. The statistical information includes a temporal distribution of detection of signals of reference points, a spatial distribution of the reference points, and/or a cardinality of the set or a subset of the reference points. The method further includes determining a measure of likelihood that the designated wireless device exhibits at least one pathological characteristic based on attributes of the reference points, attributes associated with the reception of signals, and/or the statistical information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing contextual information about a place within a range of a wireless signal beacon are provided. A reference database of wireless beacons stores attributes associated with wireless beacons. Wireless-enabled devices and/or server systems receive information identifying wireless beacons in range of the wireless-enabled devices and determine a received signal strength indication of the wireless beacons. The wireless-enabled devices and/or server systems then retrieve from the reference database extended attributes that are associated with the wireless beacons and determine at least one associated contextual attribute about the place within range of the wireless beacons.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining the position of a WLAN positioning system (WPS) and satellite positioning system (SPS) enabled device. The method can include determining an initial WPS position of the device using WPS, calculating an error region around the initial WPS position of the device, dividing the error region into a plurality of points, obtaining satellite measurements from at least two satellites in view of the device, determining a variation in a receiver clock bias for each point within the error region based on the satellite measurements from at least two satellites, selecting the point with the lowest variation in the receiver clock bias, and determining whether or not to use the point with the lowest variation in receiver clock bias to refine the initial WPS position of the device.