Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a range of location dependent information and services to users of wireless devices coupled to the multi-point wireless access network of the current invention. In an embodiment of the invention a multi-point wireless access network for servicing wireless devices is provided. The multi-point wireless access network includes: wireless access devices, an inventory map and a server. The wireless access points are arrayed in a coordinate system with a known relative relationship to one another. Each of the wireless access points provides communication capabilities for corresponding proximate ones of the wireless devices. The inventory map correlates selected ones of the wireless access points with corresponding inventory located proximate to each of the selected ones of the wireless access points.

Abstract: Method and Apparatus are disclosed for determining the position of a portable device in a wireless network formed by a plurality of base stations. In an embodiment an apparatus for determining a location of a wireless device in a wireless communication network provided by a plurality of base stations is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a signal strength table and a positioning service module. The signal strength table characterizes signal strengths relative to each of plurality base stations at each of a plurality of locations in the wireless communication network. The positioning service module correlates an actual received signal strength for a communication with the wireless device with at least one of the received signal strengths in the signal strength table, to determine the position of the wireless device. Alternate means and methods are also disclosed for determining the position of the portable device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing a range of location dependent information and services to users of wireless devices coupled to the multi-point wireless access network of the current invention.