Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for tile-based reduction of access point location information are described. Embodiments may reduce a set of network access points and respective locations to generate a reduced set. For instance, embodiments may include parsing a representation of a geographic region into multiple tiles. Embodiments may also include, for each sub-area or “bucket” of multiple buckets that make up a given tile, evaluating the set of network access points and respective locations to identify network access points residing in that bucket, and based on a ranking of the network access points in that bucket, eliminating at least some network access points of that sub-area from the reduced set. Embodiments may also include, for each sub-tile of multiple sub-tiles of the given tile, assigning within the reduced set a common location to multiple access points residing within different locations of that sub-tile.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for managing alerts provided to a user of a mobile device based on context of the mobile device. For example, a perimeter of a geo fence can be decreased when the mobile device enters a particular context (such as when the user is traveling on a train), thereby decreasing unwanted alerts. As another example, certain alerts can be dynamically turned on based on the device entering a specified context (e.g., a particular application being executed or the mobile device is being carried by the user as the user is running), thereby allowing the user to receive alerts that he/she would not have otherwise received.

Abstract: Apps may be tagged with location data when they are used. Mobile device may anonymously submit app usage data. Aggregated app usage data from many mobile devices may be analyzed to determine apps that are particularly relevant to a given location (i.e., exhibiting a high degree of localization). Analysis may include determining the app usage intensity, whether hotspots exist or not at a given location, the spatial entropy of a particular app, the device populations in a particular area, etc. Based on the localized app analysis, apps may be ranked according to local relevance, and, based on this ranking, app recommendations may be provided to a user.

Abstract: Among other things, we describe a method that includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, receiving, from the application, a value indicating a condition for providing location data to the application, disabling a resource associated with the application, while the resource associated with the application is disabled, storing location data received from a location system of the mobile device, and when the condition indicated by the value is met, enabling the resource associated with the application, and providing the stored location data to the application.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a method includes receiving, on a mobile device, an indication that an application executing on the mobile device has entered a background state, determining, based on data received from a location system of the mobile device, that the mobile device has remained within a geographic area during a time interval, the geographic area being defined by a radius determined according to an application type of the application, and disabling at least a portion of the location system of the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for task management based on travel distance are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a method executed on a mobile device can include receiving a request to perform a task in a first subsystem (e.g., an application subsystem) of the mobile device. The request can indicate that the task is to be performed when the mobile device travels at least a threshold distance. The mobile device can determine a duration of silence. The mobile device can configure a second subsystem (e.g., a baseband operating system) of the mobile device to send a notification to the first subsystem notifying that the mobile device has traveled after at least the duration of silence. The first subsystem can receive the notification and determine that the threshold distance has been satisfied based on the received notification. The first subsystem can perform the task upon the determining.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for managing a location database are described. A server computer can receive location information from location-aware mobile devices (e.g., GPS-enabled devices) located within a communication range of access points of a wireless communications network. The server computer can calculate average geographic locations using the received locations for each access point. Based on the average geographic locations, the server computer can assign the access points to cells of a geographic grid. The server computer can filter the access points in each cell based on popularity, stability, longevity, and freshness of the access point and the received data. When a second mobile device connects to an access point in a cell, the server computer can transmit locations of the access points in the cell and in neighboring cells to the second mobile device such that a location of the second mobile device can be estimated.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for multi-tier geofence detection are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can be configured to perform a task when the mobile device enters a geographic region. The mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for location filtering using mobile country code (MCC) is described. A mobile device can determine its geographic location using locations of access points of a wireless communications network to which the mobile device is connected. The mobile device can wirelessly receive identifiers of one or more access points of the wireless communications network and a current MCC through a cellular network. The mobile device can identify a polygon that is a bounding box of a geographic area that corresponds to the current MCC. The mobile device can select a set of access point locations from a location database using the received identifiers, where the access point locations are inside the identified polygon. The mobile device can determine a current location of the mobile device based on an average location of the selected set of access point locations.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using multiple wireless access gateways are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can scan and detect multiple wireless access gateways. The mobile device can determine an initial estimate of distance between the mobile device and each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can receive, from a server, location data of the detected wireless access gateways. The location data can include an estimated location of each wireless access gateway, an uncertainty of the estimated location, and a reach of each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can assign a weight to each estimated location using the uncertainty, the reach, and the initial estimate. The mobile device can estimate the location of the mobile device using the weighted locations.

Abstract: The magnitude of a sensed, raw magnetic field in a portable device is monitored over a given time interval. The monitored magnitude is compared with predetermined criteria. Based on the comparison, recalibration of a compass function is signed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can perform reverse geocoding based on context, in addition to latitude and longitude coordinates. The reverse geocoding can be used to determine in which geofence among multiple geofences the mobile device is located. Thus, the mobile device can be associated with a street address, a postal code, a named land feature, or a commercial, cultural, or political entity associated with the geofence. The context can include a pattern of movement, as well as an accuracy of the latitude and longitude coordinates. Information in the context can be compared to selection criteria of the geofence. A geofence having selection criteria that match the context the best can be selected.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for determining a location of a mobile device using a location database are described. The mobile device can host the location database, which can store locations associated with access points. The locations can be distributed in a group of cells of a geographic grid. When the mobile device moves and connects to an access point associated with a location that is outside the group of cells, the mobile device can request an update of the location database. The mobile device can calculate a current location of the mobile device using current access points that are within a communication range of the mobile device by performing a lookup in the location database using identifiers of the current access points. The mobile device can calculate the current location using the locations corresponding to the current access points in the location database.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for managing a location database are described. A server computer can receive location information from location-aware mobile devices (e.g., GPS-enabled devices) located within a communication range of access points of a wireless communications network. The server computer can calculate average geographic locations using the received locations for each access point. Based on the average geographic locations, the server computer can assign the access points to cells of a geographic grid. The server computer can filter the access points in each cell based on popularity, stability, longevity, and freshness of the access point and the received data. When a second mobile device connects to an access point in a cell, the server computer can transmit locations of the access points in the cell and in neighboring cells to the second mobile device such that a location of the second mobile device can be estimated.

Abstract: A mobile device can monitor a current location using a multi-tier approach. A baseband subsystem can monitor a coarse location of the mobile device using various course location parameters, such as a mobile country code (MCC), a location area code (LAC), or a cell identifier (cell ID), as the mobile device moves closer to the geographic region. Upon determining that the mobile device is in a cell that intersects the geographic region, the baseband subsystem can transfer the monitoring to the application subsystem. The task can be performed when the application subsystem determines that the mobile device is currently located in the geographic region. A beacon network can provide more accurate estimates of mobile device location and advertise location based services available to the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using a probability density function are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a server can estimate an effective altitude of a wireless access gateway using harvested data. The server can harvest location data from multiple mobile devices. The harvested data can include a location of each mobile device and an identifier of a wireless access gateway that is located within a communication range of the mobile device. The server can calculate an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway using a probability density function of the harvested data. The probability density function can be a sufficient statistic of the received set of location coordinates for calculating an effective altitude of the wireless access gateway. The server can send the effective altitude of the wireless access gateway to other mobile devices for estimating altitudes of the other mobile devices.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for task management based on travel distance are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a method executed on a mobile device can include receiving a request to perform a task in a first subsystem (e.g., an application subsystem) of the mobile device. The request can indicate that the task is to be performed when the mobile device travels at least a threshold distance. The mobile device can determine a duration of silence. The mobile device can configure a second subsystem (e.g., a baseband operating system) of the mobile device to send a notification to the first subsystem notifying that the mobile device has traveled after at least the duration of silence. The first subsystem can receive the notification and determine that the threshold distance has been satisfied based on the received notification. The first subsystem can perform the task upon the determining.

Abstract: Measurement data is collected from a magnetic sensor in a portable device, while the device is being carried by its end user and without requiring the end user to deliberately rotate or position the device while the output data is being collected. For example, the device may be held in the user's hand while walking or standing, or it may be fixed to the dashboard of an automobile or boat. Measurement data may also be collected from one or more positing, orientation or movement sensors. The collected measurement data from one or both of the magnetic sensor and the position, orientation or movement sensor is processed. In response, either a 2D compass calibration process or a 3D process is signaled to be performed. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems of location estimation using multiple wireless access gateways are disclosed. In general, in one aspect, a mobile device can scan and detect multiple wireless access gateways. The mobile device can determine an initial estimate of distance between the mobile device and each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can receive, from a server, location data of the detected wireless access gateways. The location data can include an estimated location of each wireless access gateway, an uncertainty of the estimated location, and a reach of each wireless access gateway. The mobile device can assign a weight to each estimated location using the uncertainty, the reach, and the initial estimate. The mobile device can estimate the location of the mobile device using the weighted locations.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for baseband location monitoring and related functions are disclosed. A mobile device can monitor its own current location using its baseband subsystem and decide whether to selectively activate its application subsystem based on whether particular conditions are satisfied by the current location. The mobile device can also correlate location and cellular signal information using its baseband subsystem and provide the correlated location and cellular signal information to a server. The server can receive the correlated location and cellular signal information from the baseband subsystems of a large number of widely distributed mobile devices and generate respective profiles of cellular network base stations that transmitted the cellular signals to the mobile devices.