Patents by Inventor Mark Buer

Mark Buer has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20110222471
    Abstract: A servicing communication device may receive a subset of a location reference database that is maintained by a plurality of location servers, and may provide location related data to a mobile device that is communicatively coupled to the servicing communication device based on the received subset. The servicing communication device may determine capabilities and/or requirements of the mobile device, and may generate the location related data based on that determination. The servicing communication device may determine attributes and/or parameters that may affect determination of the subset of the location reference database. The subset of location reference database may be requested based on the determined attributes and/or parameters. The attributes and/or parameters may comprise a location of the servicing communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110216671
    Abstract: Methods and systems for environment configuration by a device based on auto-discovery of local devices and generating preference information for those resources are disclosed and may include discovering available devices utilizing a wireless mobile communication device (WMCD). Wireless communication may be established with one or more of the available devices utilizing the WMCD, which may then configure the resources according to a user's preferences or a plurality of user preferences. The user preferences may be stored internal or external to the WMCD, and may be modified based on subsequent changes to the configuring of the resources. The WMCD may communicate with the resources utilizing one or more of a plurality of wireless protocols, which may include cellular, WLAN, near-field communication, Bluetooth, and radio frequency identification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: John Walley, Arya Behzad, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Alexander MacInnis, Thomas Quigley
  • Publication number: 20110212735
    Abstract: A mobile device may determine its location, receive transaction related information, and initiate, based on its determined location and/or the transaction related information, a transaction at the current location. The transaction related information may be received from a location server. The mobile device and/or its users may also be authenticated, using the location server. The initiated transaction may be completed automatically, without user input. The device user may also be prompted for authorization and/or information for completing the transaction. The transaction related information may specify if and/or when transactions are to be completed automatically. The mobile device may track user actions via the mobile device, and may generate based on that tracking, user action data pertaining transactions initiated and/or conducted by the user. The generated user action data may be communicated to the location server, and may be used to update the profile data maintained by the location server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Charles Abraham, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110212732
    Abstract: A mobile device may be operable to receive three or more location samples for the mobile device from each of three or more resources. Two or more valid location samples may be selected based on an accuracy indicator associated with each of the received location samples. A location of the mobile device may be determined utilizing the selected two or more valid location samples. A region around each of the received location samples may be determined based on the accuracy indicator and a condition of a geographic environment that is associated with each of the received location samples. Two or more valid location samples among the received location samples may be selected in instances when at least a portion of the region of each of the selected valid location samples overlaps with at least a portion of the regions of each of other selected valid location samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Inventors: David Garrett, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, Dave Murray
  • Publication number: 20110205110
    Abstract: A communication device within a GNSS group propagates GNSS assistance data to one or more other communication devices in the GNSS group utilizing direct device-to-device connections. The GNSS assistance data comprises ephemeris received from one or more GNSS satellites and/or predicted ephemeris. As a source device, the communication device generates, and/or acquires from other resources such as a remote location server, the predicted ephemeris. As a destination device, the communication device receives existing GNSS assistance data from a source device and/or other communication devices in the GNSS group. A GNSS position for the communication device and corresponding time information are used to refresh the received GNSS assistance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110207471
    Abstract: A mobile device may be operable to receive historical location trail information of a building. A location of the mobile device within the building may be determined by placing, moving or snapping a reference location of the mobile device onto a trail according to the received historical location trail information. The historical location trail information may be acquired from a location server. The historical location trail information stored in the location server may be generated using a plurality of location samples that are provided by one or more other mobile devices that have been within the building. The historical location trail information may also be acquired from an indoor map of the building that is used by the mobile device for navigation within the building. The determined location of the mobile device may then be utilized by the mobile device to navigate within the building for location-based services.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Dave Murray, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren
  • Publication number: 20110207472
    Abstract: A wireless access point comprising a cellular receiver receives radio signals from a cellular base station. A cellular reference clock, synchronized to the cellular base station, is detected from the received radio signals. The detected cellular reference clock is utilized to stabilize a local access point clock for GNSS positioning. A clock difference between the local access point clock and the detected cellular reference clock is determined and the local access point clock may be adjusted accordingly. The adjusted local access point clock is utilized for clocking communications between the wireless access point and other communication devices. A time offset between the adjusted local access point clock and the detected cellular reference clock is provided to a remote location server. The remote location server retrieves time offset information from wireless access points served by the cellular base station so as to determine relative distances among the wireless access points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Inventors: Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110199916
    Abstract: A mobile device measures power from different locations for an encountered wireless access point, a WiFi or Bluetooth access point, and communicates the power measurements to a remote location. The remote location server collects power measurements for the encountered wireless access point from a plurality of communication devices. The remote location server determines the location of the encountered wireless access point utilizing corresponding power measurements from a single communication device. The power measurements are performed at different locations and over a period of time. The power measurements are time stamped and transmitted to the remote location server. The single communication device is selected based on quality and/or availability of corresponding power measurements for the encountered wireless access point. The determined location of the encountered wireless access point is stored into a reference database so as to be shared among the plurality of communication devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Garrett, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110199262
    Abstract: A GNSS enabled device that is communicatively coupled to a network, receives time stamps via the network. The time stamps are generated based on reference clock signals within the network. GNSS receiver clock signal frequency may be adjusted based on the time stamps. When GNSS satellite signals and/or SRN signals are not available, the time stamps enable synchronization with GNSS satellites. Network clock signals and/or time stamps may be generated by an access point, a DSL modem, a cable modem and/or a primary reference clock within the network. A series of time stamps may be utilized for adjusting frequencies. Clock signals may be generated for adjusting frequencies based on a comparison between time stamps and oscillator or mixer output. Clock signals are generated for baseband, intermediate and/or RF frequency signal processing. GNSS satellite signals may be demodulated, correlated with a pseudonoise code sequence and/or synchronized based on the time stamps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110201305
    Abstract: A mobile device may communicate with a location server during location based services (LBS) operations using a secure identifier. The secure identifier abstracts identification information of the mobile device and/or identification information of a user of the mobile device in instances that the mobile device and/or user identification information are deemed protectable from the location server. The location server may be operable to store location data corresponding to the mobile device and/or the user in a location reference database based on the secure identifier. The secure identifier may comprise a unique value, which may be randomly generated. The secure identifier may also be generated based on the mobile device and/or user identification information, by applying, for example, encryption algorithms to the mobile device and/or user identification information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Charles Abraham, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110201335
    Abstract: A multi-radio mobile device receives data transmissions for a wireless communication session from a current serving access network in a coupled heterogeneous network system comprising a plurality of different access networks. The multi-radio mobile device initiates a handoff for the wireless communication session based on the current mobile location. The multi-radio mobile device acquires location based network connection information such as call drop in the current mobile location from a location server so as to make a handoff decision. When the handoff is to be performed, a target access network or a different base station in the current serving access network associated with the lowest call drop rate is selected. The wireless communication session is received from the selected target access network, as a new serving access network, or from the different base station in the current serving access network with the completion of the handoff.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Garrett, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110199917
    Abstract: A wireless communication device determines its location and communicates the location to other local devices utilizing a nonstandard, standard and/or proprietary protocol in combination with another protocol such as a Bluetooth, RFID, IEEE 802.11 and/or a cellular phone protocol. The location may be determined utilizing a GNSS receiver and/or network device information. A new location may be determined based on the determined location, a relative distance and/or a relative direction to other local devices. Determined location information may be communicated to other devices via a network. The wireless communication device may receive locations and/or corresponding location uncertainties from devices located within a limited range. The received information is utilized to determine a more accurate location. The more accurate location is communicated back to the devices within the limited range and/or to other communication devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110202416
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for authorizing network transactions based on device location are provided. In this regard, a request may be received to approve a transaction that was initiated from a first communication device and comprises a need to access an account. In response to the request, a second communication device that is associated with the account may be determined, and it may be determined whether to approve the transaction based on received data relating to the identity and location of the second communication device. The transaction may be associated with the second communication device via a database stored on the location server. The transaction may be approved in instances that the first communication device is in a location associated, via the database, with the second communication device. The transaction may be approved in instances that the first communication device is in substantially the same location as the second communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Charles Abraham, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110202461
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for authorizing network transactions based on radio frequency (RF) characterization of a device's location are provided. In this regard, whether to approve a communication device to perform a network transaction may be determined based on results of a comparison between a radio frequency (RE) characterization of a location of the communication device and one or more approved RF characterizations. The RF characterization may be based on information from a plurality of receivers within the communication device. The one or more approved characterizations may be stored in the network device. The RF characterization may indicate a quantity of RF sources detected and identified by the communication device at the location. The RF characterization may indicate signal strength of signals received from RF sources detected and indentified by the communication device at the location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Lundgren, Mark Buer, Charles Abraham, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110200024
    Abstract: A wireless mobile device, either a WLAN enabled mobile device or a Bluetooth enable device, which is within range of a WLAN access point, is operable to receive GNSS assistance data broadcasted from the WLAN access point. The GNSS assistance data are acquired by the WLAN access point from a reference database coupled to a location server. The broadcast GNSS assistance data comprise ephemeris data, LTO data, location information related to the WLAN access point and/or time information. The WLAN access point receives the acquired GNSS assistance data from the location server over a broadband IP network. The WLAN access point selects available resources for broadcasting the received GNSS assistance data to wireless mobile devices in range. The wireless mobile device receives the broadcast GNSS assistance data to calculate its own location. The calculated location of the wireless mobile device is used to update or refine the reference database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110201358
    Abstract: A mobile device collects information about application usage and associates collected application information with a location of the mobile device and/or a time that the application is accessed. The application is stored on the mobile device or on an external device and accessed via a network. The application information, location of the mobile device and time the application is accessed are communicated to another device and stored in a storage device which may be operated or managed by a service provider or another entity. The application information may comprise identification of a website, a network device or URL, the application and/or data that is input and/or output from the application. The location of the mobile device and/or the time, are determined utilizing a GNSS receiver and/or utilizing information from a network device. The application information, the location of the mobile device and/or the time may be utilized for targeted advertizing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110201360
    Abstract: A mobile device receives a server-assisted location for a wireless access point, either a WiFi access point or a Bluetooth access point, from a remote location server comprising a reference database. The received server-assisted location is refined using a physical map or image. The mobile device is operable to acquire the physical map or image for a map-assisted location for the wireless access point. The mobile device compares the two locations to generate a valid location for the wireless access point. In instances where the two locations are consistent, the mobile device utilizes one of the two locations as the valid location for the wireless access point. Otherwise, the mobile device refines the server-assisted location utilizing the map-assisted location. The resulting refined server-assisted location is utilized as the valid location for the wireless access point and is transmitted to the remote location server to refine the reference database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Garrett, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110199261
    Abstract: Methods and systems for stabilizing a GNSS clock by reducing interference are disclosed and may include stabilizing a frequency of a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) on a chip in a GNSS device. A clock signal may be generated for the device by temporarily configuring circuitry adjacent to the TCXO at a constant power level. Temperature and electromagnetic interference of the TCXO may be stabilized by the constant power level of the adjacent circuitry, which may be on the chip or external to the chip. The frequency of the TCXO may be stabilized by temporarily disabling the adjacent circuitry. A GNSS clock signal may be stabilized by the configuring of the constant power level while a GNSS location may be calibrated. A GNSS location of a fixed wireless device, such as a wireless access point, may be calibrated utilizing the configured constant power level and shared with other wireless devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Lundgren, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, Dave Murray
  • Publication number: 20110202460
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for authorizing transactions based on relative location of devices are provided. In this regard, data relating to a location of a first communication device and data relating to a location of a second communication device may be received, a distance between the first communication device and the second communication device may be determined based on the received data, and whether to approve a transaction may be determined based on the determined distance. The transaction may have been initiated from one of the first communication device and the second communication device, and may comprise a need to access an account. The transaction may be approved in instances that the first communication device and the second communication device are within a predetermined distance of each other. The received data may comprise distance information determined via communications between the first communication device and the second communication device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Buer, Charles Abraham, David Garrett, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Lundgren, David Murray
  • Publication number: 20110201357
    Abstract: A mobile device receives data transmissions, via a coupled receiver antenna array, from a transmitter antenna array of a serving base station. The mobile device determines relative distances, with respect to the serving base station, associated with signal strength measurements on the received data transmissions. The signal strength measurements are compensated, at the mobile device and/or a remote location server, in three-dimensional space based on corresponding transmitter and/or receiver antenna pattern, and/or mobile orientation information for estimating the relative distances. The estimated relative distances are refined by fitting a function of the azimuth and elevation angles. A location for the serving base station and/or the mobile device is determined or refined based on the refined relative distances to be shared among a plurality of users of the remote location server. Fixed or adaptive antenna patterns are supported at the serving base station and/or the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Inventors: David Garrett, Charles Abraham, Mark Buer, Jeyhan Karaoguz, David Albert Lundgren, David Murray