Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining, for at least one wireless access point in a wireless network, a number of first-time associations created with one or more wireless client devices in the wireless network. Based upon the determined number of first-time associations created, the number of discovery frames to be sent by the at least one wireless access point may be adjusted.

Abstract: A plurality of time slots are allocated during which a location procedure is performed for one or more target wireless devices. Select ones of a plurality of wireless access points at different positions are assigned to each time slot such that multiple wireless access points assigned to a given time slot are sufficiently separated. In addition, wireless access points are assigned to a corresponding one of a plurality of groups for each time slot such that wireless access points assigned to a group tune to a channel used by a wireless access point in the group that transmits one or more frames that are intended to provoke one or more response frames from the one or more wireless devices.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, the orientation of a wireless device, such as an access point (AP) can be determined based on the location of neighboring wireless devices and the observed angle of arrival of signals from the wireless device at the neighboring wireless devices. For example, the angle of orientation can be determined by comparing an observed angle of arrival with the known actual angle between wireless devices. If a plurality of wireless devices measures the signal, the mean or median of the difference between observed angle of arrival of a signal from the wireless device with the actual angle for the plurality of wireless devices may be employed to determine the angular orientation.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, the orientation of a wireless device, such as an access point (AP) can be determined based on the location of neighboring wireless devices and the observed angle of arrival of signals from the wireless device at the neighboring wireless devices. For example, the angle of orientation can be determined by comparing an observed angle of arrival with the known actual angle between wireless devices. If a plurality of wireless devices measure the signal, the mean or median of the difference between observed angle of arrival of a signal from the wireless device with the actual angle for the plurality of wireless devices may be employed to determine the angular orientation.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for detecting rogue wireless beacon devices. Wireless transmissions from beacon devices are received at a plurality of receiver devices. The wireless transmissions of the beacon devices comprise packets that carry information used for location-based services for mobile wireless devices. Content of one or more fields of the packets transmitted by the beacon devices and received by one or more of the receiver devices is obtained. The content of one or more fields of the packets is analyzed to detect an unauthorized beacon device. The analyzing operation may involve comparing the content of the one or more fields of the packets against a list that contains one or more identifiers for authorized beacon devices. In another form, analyzing may involve analyzing the content of the one or more fields of the packets with pattern information related to advertising content or advertising source.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a neighbor radio/access point (AP) list is obtained. The neighbor AP list is optimized for a client that is associated with a current access point. The list may be optimized based on any one or combination of techniques, including but not limited to roaming patterns of previous clients that were associated with the current access point, radio frequency metrics, bandwidth requirements for the client, and/or any other suitable criteria. In particular embodiments, requests from the client to associate with an access point that is not on the optimized neighbor AP list may be denied.

Abstract: A wireless receiver (e.g., access point (AP)) is a member of a group of a plurality of receivers in a wireless local area network and time synchronized with other receivers in the group. A channel scan list is generated from a plurality of wireless channels available in one or more frequency bands. A channel is selected for the receiver to monitor from the channel scan list based on a current time at the receiver such that each of the plurality of receivers in the group are scanning the same channel at the same time. The selected channel is scanned and signal characteristic information (e.g., received signal strength (RSS)) is generated for the signals received during a given scan duration.

Abstract: A wireless access point uses broadcast Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) to advertise services available to a user device within range of the access point. The access point receives information about a first service available from a first service provider, and generates a first SSID associated with the first service. The access point receives information about a second service available from a second service provider, and generates a second SSID associated with the second service. The access point broadcasts the first SSID during a first period of time in a wireless network, and broadcasts the second SSID in the wireless network during a second period of time that is non-overlapping with the first period of time.

Abstract: Techniques are presented to optimize location classification accuracy for wireless devices. A controller in communication with one or more wireless access points receives measurement data associated with signals received at one or more wireless access points from a plurality of wireless clients. The controller classifies each of the measurement data associated with a corresponding client as indicative a location inside of a particular region or outside of the particular region. The controller determines information of an actual location for each of the clients and classifies the information of the actual location as indicating a location inside of the particular region or outside of the particular region. For a given client whose classification of the information of the actual location does not match the classification of the corresponding measurement data, the controller modifies the information of the actual location of the given client.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for detecting rogue wireless beacon devices. Wireless transmissions from beacon devices are received at a plurality of receiver devices. The wireless transmissions of the beacon devices comprise packets that carry information used for location-based services for mobile wireless devices. Content of one or more fields of the packets transmitted by the beacon devices and received by one or more of the receiver devices is obtained. The content of one or more fields of the packets is analyzed to detect an unauthorized beacon device. The analyzing operation may involve comparing the content of the one or more fields of the packets against a list that contains one or more identifiers for authorized beacon devices. In another form, analyzing may involve analyzing the content of the one or more fields of the packets with pattern information related to advertising content or advertising source.

Abstract: A wireless receiver (e.g., access point (AP)) is a member of a group of a plurality of receivers in a wireless local area network and time synchronized with other receivers in the group. A channel scan list is generated from a plurality of wireless channels available in one or more frequency bands. A channel is selected for the receiver to monitor from the channel scan list based on a current time at the receiver such that each of the plurality of receivers in the group are scanning the same channel at the same time. The selected channel is scanned and signal characteristic information (e.g., received signal strength (RSS)) is generated for the signals received during a given scan duration.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for determining, for at least one wireless access point in a wireless network, a number of first-time associations created with one or more wireless client devices in the wireless network. Based upon the determined number of first-time associations created, the number of discovery frames to be sent by the at least one wireless access point may be adjusted.

Abstract: A system and method for locating a wireless client using trusted wireless detectors is described. Sniffers may sense signal strength information and transmit the information to a database. The database may store signal strength-based location information. Information from the database may then be used to determine the location of a wireless client based on new signal strength information from one or more sniffers.

Abstract: A wireless access point device configured to serve wireless client devices in a wireless network monitors transmissions sent by direct clients capable of forming ad hoc networks with one or more other direct clients. Profile data is stored for each detected direct client. The profile data indicates device type and services of the direct client, as well as potentially other information. The wireless access point receives from a direct client a request for information concerning one or more other direct clients, and sends a response to the direct client containing information for other direct clients based on the stored profile data.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein to provide human mobility pattern based modeling and tracking of a group of network enabled user devices associated with the same person. An association is made, at a tracking device, between a plurality of user devices and a user. Location information for each of the plurality of user devices is derived through network activity of the plurality of user devices. Locations for the plurality of user devices are derived from the location information. One or more predetermined user mobility pattern rules are applied to the plurality of user devices. User anomalies are detected when the tracked locations indicate that one or more of the plurality of user devices has violated one or more the predetermined user mobility rules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality of antennas, a receiver in communication with said plurality of antennas for receiving one or more packets in a block based modulation environment, a switch interposed between a portion of the antennas and the receiver for switching between the antennas, and a processor for calculating angle of arrival for use in identifying a location of a mobile device transmitting the one or more packets.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a wireless device is configured to associate with a first access point on a first frequency. The wireless device listens for a predefined frame, which may be sent by neighboring access points or other wireless devices. When the wireless device receives a signal comprising a predefined frame, the wireless device acquires a parameter, such as signal strength, for the signal. The wireless device sends the parameter for the signal to the first access point.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, the orientation of a wireless device, such as an access point (AP) can be determined based on the location of neighboring wireless devices and the observed angle of arrival of signals from the wireless device at the neighboring wireless devices. For example, the angle of orientation can be determined by comparing an observed angle of arrival with the known actual angle between wireless devices. If a plurality of wireless devices measure the signal, the mean or median of the difference between observed angle of arrival of a signal from the wireless device with the actual angle for the plurality of wireless devices may be employed to determine the angular orientation.

Abstract: Described in an example embodiment herein is a technique for generating a heat map representative of a radio frequency environment based on data representative of antenna pattern, antenna orientation, access point height and a path loss model. In particular embodiments, the base heat map can be corrected based on neighbor access point (AP) signal strength measurements, such as received signal strength indications (RSSIs) that are added over a base heat map. The neighbor RSSIs may be adjusted to a point underneath the AP.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, a neighbor radio/access point (AP) list is obtained. The neighbor AP list is optimized for a client that is associated with a current access point. The list may be optimized based on any one or combination of techniques, including but not limited to roaming patterns of previous clients that were associated with the current access point, radio frequency metrics, bandwidth requirements for the client, and/or any other suitable criteria. In particular embodiments, requests from the client to associate with an access point that is not on the optimized neighbor AP list may be denied.