Abstract: A sensor-based touchscreen assembly for use with a display panel is configured to determine a location on the display panel touched by a user. The sensor-based touchscreen assembly employs at least three sensors mounted on the display panel at different locations. The sensor-based touchscreen assembly further includes a controller coupled to the sensors. The controller is operable to determine a location on the display panel touched by a user by computing a time of difference of arrival (TDOA) of a signal (mechanical or sound wave) emitted from a touch to the sensors.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an indication of location service availability and the quality of available location services for a mobile station. A required location quality of service (LQoS) parameter is acquired. The required LQoS parameter may be a minimum position accuracy value, a maximum response time value, or a maximum age of position information value. An actual LQoS value is then determined. If the actual LQoS value does not satisfy the required LQoS parameter, then an indicator is provided that location services are not available for the mobile station. For example, a visual indicator may be displayed indicating that location services are not available. On the other hand, if location services are determined to be available, a relative strength measure of position accuracy is calculated and a visual indicator of the strength of the position accuracy is provided.

Abstract: Operating a communication device in a half-duplex mode using only overhead channels; and substantially free running a timing reference obtained during reception to allow a timing reference value to drift during transmission.

Abstract: For position determination with peer-to-peer communication, a target terminal broadcasts a request for assistance in determining its position. At least one ranging terminal receives the request. Each ranging terminal sends a response with a time of arrival (TOA) measurement for the request and the position of the ranging terminal. For two-way peer-to-peer, the target terminal receives at least one response from the at least one ranging terminal, obtains a TOA measurement for each response, estimates the distance to each ranging terminal based on the TOA measurement for the request and/or the TOA measurement for the response, and computes a position estimate for itself based on the estimated distance and the position for each ranging terminal. For one-way peer-to-peer, a network entity receives at least one response from the at least one ranging terminal, computes a position estimate for the target terminal, and sends the position estimate to the target terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to obtain an ordered set of satellite positioning system (SPS) satellites, in view of a mobile SPS receiver, via one or two-way communication with the mobile SPS receiver. The mobile SPS receiver receives, in one embodiment, an ordered set of SPS satellites from a cellular transmission site. The ordered set of satellites are those in view of the mobile SPS receiver at a given time; such that the mobile SPS receiver may search for the SPS satellites according to an order of the ordered set of SPS satellites. The order of the ordered set may be obtained by various methods one of which is by minimizing the geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) Satellite; health data may be included in the transmission.

Abstract: A database provides base station almanac information pertaining to more than one network mode of communication. A wireless device accesses this database through a centralized server or network, or via the base station, base station controller or the like, with which it is currently communicating.

Abstract: A hybrid position determination system is disclosed. A mobile device may determine a number of pseudo ranges based on a first position determination system, such as a Global Positioning System. In instances where the position of the mobile device is underdetermined because of an insufficient number of satellite pseudo ranges, the mobile device shares position information with other devices. The other devices may include other mobile devices. A first mobile device may determine its position based on an underdetermined number of satellite pseudo ranges by determining pseudo ranges to other mobile devices. In other embodiments, the number of satellite pseudo ranges may be insufficient to generate an absolute position determination of a single mobile device. In this underdetermined condition, mobile devices may determine a common location of the group or may determine a relative positioning of members of the group.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data useful for one or more network applications is described. The method is performed responsive to a triggering event, such as a dropped call, a position fix, or even expiration of a timer. A position estimate for a subscriber station is obtained responsive to the event. A record is then formed associating the position estimate for the subscriber station with an identifier of the triggering event and/or data measured or obtained responsive to the event, such as the strength of one or more pilots visible to the subscriber station. The record is either stored locally or transmitted to a remote location. In one implementation, the record is transmitted to a remote location, and stored in a database holding like records relating to other subscriber stations.

Abstract: A system, method and device are provided for determining the position of a mobile station through the identification of an approximate position of the mobile station. Thereafter received signal strength (RSSI) fingerprint data for the approximate position is requested and retrieved. The fingerprint data and received signal strength data collected at the mobile station are compared in connection with fixing the position of the mobile station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a position of a base station in a wireless communication network that includes a mobile station in communication with base stations. A BTS calibration server is networked with the base stations. A BTS calibration program is programmed into a group of mobile stations that have position location capabilities. Using the BTS calibration program, calibration information may be requested by the BTS calibration server, or a session may be initiated by the mobile station. The BTS calibration program also provides privacy features that allow user of the mobile station to prevent it from being used for base station location. If authorized, the BTS calibration program determines the position of the mobile station, and provides calibration information, such as position and base station phase measurements, to the server. The calibration information may be used to calibrate the base station almanac.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a repeater of a wireless communication system that includes a positioning unit, such as a GPS receiver, in order to calculate the location of the repeater. In addition, various techniques are described that exploit the positioning information generated by the repeater in order to improve the wireless communication system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to utilize a set of measurements (either partial or compete) to improve the accuracy of an initial position estimate for a wireless terminal. The initial position estimate for the terminal is first obtained (e.g., based on a cell-ID or an enhanced cell-ID solution). Measurements are obtained for the terminal. The initial position estimate is then updated with the measurements to obtain a revised position estimate for the terminal. The updating may be performed by (1) deriving a measurement vector based on the initial position estimate and the measurements, (2) forming an observation matrix for the measurements, (3) determining a matrix of weights, (4) deriving a correction vector based on the measurement vector, the observation matrix, and the weight matrix, and (5) updating the initial position estimate with the correction vector.

Abstract: A system and method of locating a position of a wireless device in range of one or more base stations. Three signals are received that each contain a unique identifier for a base station. An estimate of the distance between the wireless device and each base station is performed. Previously determined locations for each base station are referenced. At least one of the three base stations is capable of communication to remote locations and unavailable to the wireless device for communication to remote locations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for position determination and other operations. In one embodiment of the present invention, a mobile station uses wireless signals from a plurality of wireless networks (e.g., with different air interfaces and/or operated by different service providers) for position determination (e.g., for data communication, for obtaining time and/or frequency information, for range measurement, for sector or altitude estimation). In one embodiment of the present invention, mobile stations are used to harvest statistical data about wireless access points (e.g., the locations of mobile stations that have received signals from the wireless access points, such as from cellular base stations, wireless local area network access points, repeaters for positioning signals, or other wireless communication transmitters) and to derive location information (e.g., position and coverage area of the wireless access points) for the wireless networks from the collected statistical data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a reference time associated with a satellite positioning system. In turn, the reference time, in one embodiment, may be used to determine other navigational information. Such navigational information may include, for example, the location/position of a satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver. In one embodiment, a relative velocity between an SPS receiver and a set of one or more satellites is used to determine an offset between time as indicated by the SPS receiver and the reference time. According to another embodiment of the invention, an error statistic is used to determine the reference time. According to yet another embodiment of the invention, two records, each representing at least a portion of a satellite message, are compared to determine time. In one implementation, the SPS receiver is mobile and operates in conjunction with a basestation to determine time and/or other navigational information according to one or a combination of the methods described.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for providing location services whereby location determination and location disclosure are treated as separate and independent processes. Location determination may be performed (as necessary) via a first set of network entities to obtain location information for a mobile station. The location information may be cached for subsequent disclosure to any number of applications. Location disclosure may be performed (when requested) via a second set of network entities to provide the location information. Location determination may utilize a first security procedure for authentication and authorization and to obtain a first session key used for location determination. Location disclosure may utilize a second security procedure for authentication and authorization and to obtain a second session key used for location disclosure. For a roaming mobile station, location determination may be performed via a serving network and location disclosure may be performed via a home network.

Abstract: Techniques to determine a position estimate for a wireless terminal. An accurate position estimate for the initially obtained (e.g., based on a first (accurate) position determination sub-system). For each of one or more transmitters (e.g., base stations) in a second (less accurate) position determination sub-system, an “expected” pseudo-range is computed based on the accurate position estimate for the terminal and the base station location, a “measured” pseudo-range is also obtained, and a pseudo-range residual is then determined based on the expected pseudo-range and the measured pseudo-range. Therefore, to determine an updated position estimate for the terminal, measured pseudo-ranges are obtained for a sufficient number of transmitters. The measured pseudo-range for each base station may be corrected based on the associated residual. The updated position estimate is then determined based on the corrected pseudo-ranges for these transmitters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to obtain an ordered set of satellite positioning system (SPS) satellites, in view of a mobile SPS receiver, via one or two-way communication with the mobile SPS receiver. The mobile SPS receiver receives, in one embodiment, an ordered set of SPS satellites from a cellular transmission site. The ordered set of satellites are those in view of the mobile SPS receiver at a given time; such that the mobile SPS receiver may search for the SPS satellites according to an order of the ordered set of SPS satellites. The order of the ordered set may be obtained by various methods one of which is by minimizing the geometric dilution of precision (GDOP) Satellite; health data may be included in the transmission.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for providing an indication of location service availability and the quality of available location services for a mobile station. A required location quality of service (LQoS) parameter is acquired. The required LQoS parameter may be a minimum position accuracy value, a maximum response time value, or a maximum age of position information value. An actual LQoS value is then determined. If the actual LQoS value does not satisfy the required LQoS parameter, then an indicator is provided that location services are not available for the mobile station. For example, a visual indicator may be displayed indicating that location services are not available. On the other hand, if location services are determined to be available, a relative strength measure of position accuracy is calculated and a visual indicator of the strength of the position accuracy is provided.

Abstract: A method of obtaining data useful for one or more network applications is described. The method is performed responsive to a triggering event, such as a dropped call, a position fix, or even expiration of a timer. A position estimate for a subscriber station is obtained responsive to the event. A record is then formed associating the position estimate for the subscriber station with an identifier of the triggering event and/or data measured or obtained responsive to the event, such as the strength of one or more pilots visible to the subscriber station. The record is either stored locally or transmitted to a remote location. In one implementation, the record is transmitted to a remote location, and stored in a database holding like records relating to other subscriber stations.