Abstract: In one embodiment, a technique is provided for wireless position determination wherein a wireless computing device both consumes and provides geographic locations for Wi-Fi access points to a collaborative database. The wireless computing device receives signals from one or more first Wi-Fi access points. Using the collaborative database, a geographic location of each of the one or more first Wi-Fi access points is determined and a position of the wireless computing device is estimated. The wireless computing device may receive signals from one or more second Wi-Fi access points. A Wi-Fi access point of the one or more second Wi-Fi access points may be determined to be a new Wi-Fi access point whose geographic location is not contained in the collaborative database and the wireless computing device may update the collaborative database based, at least in part, on one or more positions of the wireless computing device.

Abstract: Method includes maintaining a collaborative database on a database server containing geographic location information pertaining to Wi-Fi access points. The collaborative database includes database records for Wi-Fi access points including a MAC address and geographic location. A position location request from a Wi-Fi enabled wireless device is received at a server, and includes a respective MAC address of at least one Wi-Fi access point for which a wireless beacon is detected by the wireless device. Via a query issued to the database server using at least one MAC address included in the position location request, geographic location data for one or more Wi-Fi access points is retrieved from the database. A processor determines geographic location of the wireless device based at least on the retrieved geographic location data, and returns, via the server, geographic location data to the wireless device corresponding to the geographic location of the wireless device.

Abstract: Method and system for monitoring location of a mobile device relative to a region of interest includes defining a geographic region of interest, receiving a request to obtain notification when the mobile device leaves from, is present in or enters into the region of interest, determining when the mobile device leaves, is present in or enters into the region of interest, and automatically generating a notification signal upon departure of the mobile device from, presence of the mobile device in or entry of the mobile device into the region of interest without manual intervention by a user of the mobile device. It is therefore possible to monitor the departure of a mobile device, and thus presumably the user thereof, from one or more defined regions, the presence of the person in one or more defined regions, and also the entry of the person into one or more defined regions.

Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of smuggling or other criminal behaviors and tasking of high-accuracy location surveillance.

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: Methods and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.

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 location sentry system is provided for use within a mobile device. The sentry system can be configured to detect unauthorized attempts to locate mobile devices by monitoring messages passed between the mobile device and the wireless network and/or messages passed between components of the mobile device, and determining that one or more of the messages is/are indicative of an attempt to locate the mobile device. In response to a determination that an unauthorized attempt has been detected, the location sentry can be configured to take one or more actions. For example, the location sentry system could prevent location information from being sent back to the wireless network and/or the location sentry system could cause incorrect information to be sent to the wireless network.

Abstract: In an overlay, network-based, wireless location system, LMUs typically co-located with BTSs are used to collect radio signaling both in the forward and reverse channels for use in TDOA and/or AOA positioning methods. Information broadcast from the radio network and by global satellite navigation system constellations can be received by the LMU and used to reduce the difficulty of initial system configuration and reconfiguration due to radio network changes.

Abstract: In an overlay, network-based, wireless location system, passive network probes and Location Measurement Units, typically co-located with eNodeB's, are used to collect identity information and radio signaling both in the forward and reverse channels for use in power-based, timing-based and/or angle-based positioning methods in Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced wireless communications networks.

Abstract: In a network-based Wireless Location System (WLS), geographically distributed Location Measurement Units (LMUs) must be able to detect and use reverse channel (mobile to network) signals across multiple BTS coverage areas. By using Matched Replica correlation processing with the local and reference signals subdivided into discrete segments prior to correlation, the effects of mobile clock drift and Doppler shifts can be mitigated allowing for increased processing gain. By using historical network and real-time data about the radio signal and/or radio channel, the segmentation and computation scheme may be optimized to reduce latency and enhance capacity while maximizing location accuracy.

Abstract: Collection and analysis of network transaction information which includes the mobile device's usage, location, movements coupled with data from non-wireless network sources allow for the automation of analysis for the detection of anti-social or criminal behaviors and tasking of high-accuracy location surveillance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes monitoring a set of signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting at least one predefined signaling transaction occurring on at least one of the predefined signaling links. Then, in response to the detection of the at least one predefined network transaction, at least one predefined location service is triggered.

Abstract: Transmitters are located with a network of sensors by measuring signal characteristics at multiple known locations and processing these measurements at a central node. The sensors communicate their location to the central node along with measured characteristics of the transmitter's signal, and may be required to synchronize with other sensors. Often, GNSS receivers are utilized to locate and synchronize the sensors. However, the GNSS signals may be attenuated by obstructions. In this case, the sensors determine their location by making ranging measurements with sensors that can receive the GNSS signals. The waveform for the wireless backhaul permits this ranging. Additionally, many sensors can determine their location and time synchronize with the geolocation network through reception of signals from other sensors even if they do not have a direct connection to sensors that know their location and are time synchronized.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and tangible computer-readable media comprise: a measurement module adapted to generate measurements of a wireless television signal received by the apparatus and measurements of a wireless satellite positioning signal received by the apparatus; a location module adapted to determine a location of the apparatus based on the measurements of the wireless television signal and the measurements of the wireless satellite positioning signal; and a time module adapted to provide a clock control signal for the apparatus based on at least one of the measurements of the wireless television signal, and the measurements of the wireless satellite positioning signal.

Abstract: For Wireless Communications Networks (WCNs) that support soft handover, cooperator receiver selection for a TDOA, AOA, TDOA/AOA, or hybrid network-based or network-overlay Wireless Location System (WLS) must contend with one or more network base stations as a serving cell. When the active set contains more than one member, two techniques for determining a set of cooperating and demodulating receivers to use in the signal collection for location estimation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the active set members are constructively reduced to a single member that is used as a proxy serving cell. In another embodiment, the information contained in the active set membership is retained and a new set of demodulating and cooperator receivers are generated based on the entire membership of the active set.

Abstract: In an overlay, network-based, Wireless Location System, LMUs typically co-located with BTSs, are used to collect uplink radio signaling for use in TOA, TDOA and/or AoA positioning methods. In a UMTS, the dual nature of the uplink allows for identification of the correct uplink signal even in the presence of co-channel interference from other UMTS mobile devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing readily available radio network, timing and power information about cellular networks and typical measurements made by the mobile device and network. A probabilistic method is disclosed that uses both time (i.e., range) and power differences with known downlink transmitter antenna characteristics to locate mobiles with accuracy better than cell-ID with ranging, with high capacity, and without the need for field calibration.

Abstract: Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer-readable media comprise: an input module adapted to receive a plurality of pseudoranges each determined by a receiver based on one of a plurality of wireless single-frequency network (SFN) signals transmitted at a predetermined frequency from a corresponding plurality of transmitters; and a transmitter identification module adapted to identify one of the transmitters for each of the pseudoranges based on the pseudoranges and a plurality of ranges each predetermined between one of the transmitters and one of a plurality of predetermined geographic locations.

Abstract: In an overlay, network-based, wireless location system, passive network probes and Location Measurement Units, typically co-located with eNodeB's, are used to collect identity information and radio signaling both in the forward and reverse channels for use in power-based, timing-based and/or angle-based positioning methods in Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced wireless communications networks.