Location Monitoring Patents (Class 455/404.2)
  • Patent number: 9513134
    Abstract: Evacuation of mobile objects is managed by a system including a processor; and one or more computer readable mediums collectively including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive information of occurrence of a disaster, obtain information of a plurality of evacuation areas, obtain a plurality of locations, each location corresponding to a mobile object among a plurality of mobile objects in a geographic space, distribute the plurality of mobile objects into the plurality of evacuation areas according to a distribution based on the information of the plurality of evacuation areas and the plurality of locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Ishikawa, Atsushi Tsuchiya, Gaku Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9514473
    Abstract: A location-based cognitive and predictive communication system includes an interface connected to sensors to receive transactional data for an individual measured by the sensors. A memory stores the transactional data. The transactional data may be associated with a current travel path for the individual and includes a time and geographic location for the individual on the travel path. A prediction module may determine a current activity for the individual based on a prediction determined from the transactional data and may determine a choice set for the individual based on the current activity and based on predictions for a group for which the individual is a member. The choice set may include choices associated with transportation for the current travel path of the individual.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: ACCENTURE GLOBAL SERVICES LIMITED
    Inventor: Prabir Sen
  • Patent number: 9510142
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a presence service for contact management functions such as user address books. The presence service, in an exemplary embodiment, assembles contact entries into abstract groupings and defines event packages specified by the user that enable the user to be notified about presence information dynamically. For example, a subscribed user may receive presence service information for all entries in the users address book that are in close geographical proximity to the subscribed user. In one variant, the storage and calculation of presence information is performed at a centralized location, thereby sparing the user's device from utilizing unnecessary calculation resources and avoiding unnecessary network bandwidth utilization in order to receive presence information of interest. User device-based variants are also disclosed. Business methods utilizing the aforementioned presence service offerings are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Hans, Andreas Schmidt
  • Patent number: 9507012
    Abstract: Examples of determining the position of a mobile device within a structure are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computing device may include a processor and a memory. The computing device may further include an extraction module stored in the memory and executing on the processor to extract from a location-based service data stream a signal measurement of the path loss between a mobile device and a plurality of radio nodes distributed throughout a structure. The computing device may also include a positioning determining module stored in the memory and executing on the processor to determine the position of the mobile device within the structure using a known location for each of the plurality of radio nodes distributed throughout the structure by performing a linear optimization using the extracted signal measurement of the path loss.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: John T. Brassil, Lee Edward Fuller, Christopher Thomas Pearson, Neil Cashman
  • Patent number: 9500736
    Abstract: A wireless sensor network is disclosed that comprises a plurality of wireless sensors and a wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor base station sends a request to one of the wireless sensors requesting the location information for the selected wireless sensor. The wireless sensor determines its location using a location information determination method, associates its identity information with the location information, and sends the identity information and the location information to the wireless sensor base station. The wireless sensor continuously sends updated location information to the wireless sensor base station as the wireless sensor moves within the wireless sensor network. The wireless sensor base station displays the identity information and the location information of the wireless sensor on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Becker
  • Patent number: 9501920
    Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a non-transitory computer readable medium for monitoring a cargo container are presented. Data items are received by a monitoring system from one or more monitoring devices via a communications network. The monitoring devices are affixed to the cargo container and the monitoring system is located separate from the cargo container. The data items are monitored by the monitoring system to determine if an alert condition exists. An alert is generated by the monitoring system if the alert condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: K.L. HARRING TRANSPORTATION LLC
    Inventors: Keith Harring, Robin Wald
  • Patent number: 9503937
    Abstract: A mobile communication system includes a first Home Node B (HNB); a second HNB; and a HNB gateway (HNB-GW) that is connected to a core network, wherein the first HNB is configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE) before a relocation of intra HNB-GW in which the UE is relocated from the first HNB to the second HNB, wherein the second HNB is configured to communicate with a user equipment (UE) after the relocation and send Iu-UP Initialization comprising an RFCI information to the HNB-GW during the relocation, and wherein the HNB-GW is configured to receive the Iu-UP Initialization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: NEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Mochizuki, Yoshio Ueda
  • Patent number: 9503608
    Abstract: There are included: a processing-result-information-acquiring-unit that acquires, from each equipment, processing result information associating communication device identification information for identifying a communication device being installed corresponding to the equipment and processing request information regarding a processing request; a layout-information-acquiring-unit that acquires layout information associating, with each piece of the communication device identification information, area information indicating an area where the communication device indicated by the communication device identification information is installed; a proposal-information-acquiring-unit that acquires proposal information associating, for each type of area, a proposal condition and a proposed content; a determining-unit that determines, for each area, whether the proposal condition is satisfied or not, based on a plurality of pieces of the processing result information, the layout information, and the proposal information
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Kaname Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 9497568
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, an apparatus, and a system for controlling network access of a machine terminal. In the embodiments of the present invention, an authorized period and/or a forbidden period of a time-controlled subscription is generated according to information such as network service load historical data of a network and application information of the time-controlled subscription. Network access of the machine terminal is controlled according to the authorized period and/or the forbidden period. Because the network access time of the machine terminal can be controlled flexibly, the communication of the machine terminal can be controlled flexibly, and impacts of machine terminal communication on ordinary terminal communication can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: HUAWEI DEVICE CO. LTD.
    Inventors: Shuiping Long, Guodong Xue, Hui Jin, Xiaoyan Duan, Xiaojuan Li
  • Patent number: 9497768
    Abstract: A method of dynamic adjusting a generation frequency of messages in vehicular networks is provided, including: receiving updating requests and emergent degree of the vehicle event, and then determining whether the generation frequency of messages meets the dynamic change of the vehicle, if not satisfied, selecting a different adjustment method according to the event emergent degree. When the event is emergent, its generation frequency can be raised immediately by an interruptive adjustment and to suppress the generation frequency of messages of the others. Conversely, adjusting its generation frequency by a progressive adjustment and reducing the generation frequency of messages of the other lower-priority vehicles. According to the present disclosure, it prevents lower priority messages from occupying the channel overly, and emergency messages with higher priority can be satisfied immediately when it needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: An-Kai Jeng, Chia-Tai Tsai, Rong-Hong Jan, Chien Chen
  • Patent number: 9491271
    Abstract: A battery charger for portable electronic devices and a portable electronic device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a battery charger housing forms a portion of an outer device shell or a protective case cover. Capacitors are located within the battery charger housing that include opposing spaced plates having contact segments thereon. An output power increasing, electrically resistive fluid is held within and partially fills an enclosed chamber that is boundaried by the contact segments. In response to movement of the portable electronic device, induced relative motion between the output power increasing, electrically resistive fluid and contact segments varies the fluid-contact segment contact within the enclosed chamber, thereby inversely alternating the capacitance between the pair of capacitors and triboelectrically generating an electrical charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Inventor: Laslo Olah
  • Patent number: 9483932
    Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking a safety status of a number of individuals, and providing pro-active security and response based on historical safety data collected by the system, as well as third-party information such as crime, traffic, weather, and news data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Inventor: David Amis
  • Patent number: 9467562
    Abstract: In one aspect, a method used to determine services in a network is provided. For a plurality of devices, information pertaining to a location of the respective device is stored in a location information item. A location information item providing a location of a user is generated. At least one of the plurality of devices to be used by the user based on the generated location information item and to the stored location information items is automatically selecting; a status report is transmitted to a device used by the user, with the user being offered the use a service via the status report, the offered service effected by the selected device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Bozionek, Dieter Hemkemeyer, Karl Klaghofer, Ralf Neuhaus, Michael Tietsch, Rainer Uecker, Rainer Zimmermann
  • Patent number: 9466205
    Abstract: Impact detection mobile communication apparatus comprises; a portable wireless communication apparatus attached to or carried on by a person containing, a processor, an impact detection sensor used for detecting user bodily impact condition, a built-in positioning locator receiver used to determine the apparatus location, a cellular RF transceiver used for receiving cellular tower Doppler signals to determine the apparatus movement velocity, and a speaker and a microphone used for user two way voice communication through a cellular network with a monitoring station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Inventor: Ohanes D. Ghazarian
  • Patent number: 9467656
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for facilitating audio communication remotely with a person includes the use of several observation devices, each having an audio system that can play audio signals and receive acoustic signals and convert them to audio signals. The audio signals are wirelessly communicated in the region via a wireless local area network, and outside of the region by a wide area network via a gateway device. The audio signals from a command console located remotely from the region are playing in a synchronizations by several of the observation devices such that the resulting acoustic signals combine additively at the location of a person in the region with whom communication is conducted. The observation devices are designed to be deployed on an ad hoc basis to facilitate rapid deployment of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: VSN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Gustavo Leizerovich
  • Patent number: 9467826
    Abstract: A data request is generated (e.g., text, email, SMS, multimedia messaging system (MMS), etc.) from a source device. The data request is delivered to a PSAP or other emergency monitoring service location in a useable format. Exemplary useable formats include a canned voice message, delivery to a call center that translates data to voice, text to speech, and text to instant messaging (IM). Additional information and location are staged for use by the PSAP or other monitoring service location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Telecommunications Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald L. Mitchell, Jr., Yinjun Zhu, Myron D'Souza, Roger S. Marshall
  • Patent number: 9467806
    Abstract: A control system for tracking moving objects and controlling an action at a selected one of a plurality of geographic locations is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Omarco Network Solutions Limited
    Inventor: Ralph Mahmoud Omar
  • Patent number: 9466212
    Abstract: An enhanced broadcast data service with reports locations of traffic enforcement camera locations (e.g., red light cameras and speed cameras) to users. Traffic enforcement camera information is aggregated, verified (e.g., particularly as to traffic enforcement camera type) and stored (e.g., at a server). A broadcast signal comprising program channels and at least one data channel having traffic enforcement camera information is transmitted to a plurality of receivers. Receivers store at least a subset of the traffic enforcement camera information available from the server and synchronize to it using periodic transmitted updates. Receivers compare receiver location data with stored camera location data, and display or generate audible alerts when the receiver is within a selected geographic range of a traffic enforcement camera. Alerts can be filtered as to camera type. A alerts can employ different color camera icons superimposed on a screen map depending on camera type or whether the camera is newly added.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Sirius XM Radio Inc.
    Inventors: William Carl Stumphauzer, II, Todd Darrell Van Zandt
  • Patent number: 9462447
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for allocating resources from component carriers to a public-safety mobile radio. An embodiment takes the form of a process that is carried out by carried out by a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved Node B (eNodeB). The eNodeB makes a first determination to allocate resources to a given mobile radio. The eNodeB makes a second determination that the given mobile radio is a public-safety mobile radio. In response to making the first and second determinations, the eNodeB selects, based on one or more public-safety-communication criteria, a component carrier from among a plurality of component carriers managed by the eNodeB. The eNodeB allocates resources on the selected eNodeB component carrier to the given mobile radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Trent J. Miller, Mario F. Derango, David P. Helm, Gino A. Scribano, Paul D. Steinberg
  • Patent number: 9460454
    Abstract: A method of advertising tailored based on usage patterns of a portable electronic device includes determining if a portable electronic device has entered an area associated with a local area network (LAN). A link is established between the portable electronic device and the LAN if it is determined that the portable electronic device has entered the area associated with the LAN. User services are established between the portable electronic device and a remote server using the established link based on a user profile associated with the portable electronic device. Devices associated with the remote server communicatively coupled to the LAN are controlled using the portable electronic device. Actions and/or behaviors of a user are tracked based on use of the portable electronic device. Advertisements are displayed and/or played on at least one of the controlled devices based on the tracked user actions and/or behaviors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: John Ruckart, Robert Starr
  • Patent number: 9459104
    Abstract: Examples describe systems and methods for performing a multi-step approach for map generation and device localizing using data collected by the device and observations of interdependencies between the data. An example method includes receiving logs of data collected by the device, determining a constraint for locations of the device according to a comparison of data in the logs of data with available known signal strength maps of corresponding data, and performing a first simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) optimization of location estimates of the device using the logs of data and the constraint as a first initialization. A second SLAM optimization is performed using outputs of the first SLAM optimization and relative estimates of the device based on dead reckoning as a second initialization. An output location estimate of the device is provided based on the second SLAM optimization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Etienne Le Grand
  • Patent number: 9462448
    Abstract: Methods and systems for adapting positioning reference signal (PRS) transmissions are disclosed. A server receives a request to support an emergency call associated with a user equipment (UE) and sends a first PRS schedule to a first base station, the first PRS schedule configured to enable the first base station to switch to a first emergency PRS mode and to transmit PRS signals according to the first PRS schedule. The base station establishes a PRS schedule, switches to an emergency PRS mode, and transmits PRS signals in accordance with the PRS schedule. A UE initiates an emergency call, receives positioning assistance data from a server, performs terrestrial radio location positioning measurements based on the received positioning assistance data, and provides the terrestrial radio location positioning measurements or a location computed from these measurements to the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventor: Stephen William Edge
  • Patent number: 9451061
    Abstract: The cell phone personal safety alarm is a cell phone having a panic alarm button on the back of the phone that activates the alarm when pressed. An alarm shield prevents accidental push of the button and is flipped open to expose the button. Activating the alarm causes a loud alarm tone or siren to sound and red and blue lights or other visual alarm displays to flash. Front and rear cameras transmit live video to an online secure database, where it is recorded to preserve evidence. Front and rear lights may be included for night or low-light level video. An e-911 call is made to notify law enforcement and provide the location of the emergency via the phone's integral global positing system (GPS). In another embodiment, the device is a retrofitting case for existing cell phones that would be able to achieve the same results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Erik N. Hagenstad
  • Patent number: 9448918
    Abstract: A content-aware digital media storage device includes a host device interface for exchanging digital information with a host device, a memory array for storing digital information received from the host device via the host interface, a peripheral module configured to communicate the digital information stored in the memory array to a receiver located remote from the digital media storage device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the host device interface, the memory array and the peripheral module configured to interpret directory information associated with the digital information stored in the memory array so as to selectively access said digital information and communicate such accessed digital information to the peripheral module for transmission to the remote receiver. Digital images stored in the memory array may be transmitted to a remote host via a wireless network access point with which the peripheral module of the storage device is associated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: EYE-FI, INC.
    Inventors: Eugene Feinberg, Yuval Koren, Berend Ozceri, Ziv Gillat
  • Patent number: 9444945
    Abstract: A system of an alert puck, a mobile communication device, and an alert server for facilitating a VOIP session with the mobile communication device responsive to an emergency event triggered by the alert puck. The alert puck comprises a housing enclosing a sealed volume, a power supply and control circuitry that includes a personal area network (PAN) interface. The mobile communication device comprises an operating system, an alert application executing upon the operating system, and a wireless transceiver. The alert server contacts a set of one or more previously defined contact devices, conveys an emergency message, and facilitates the VOIP session with the alert application, when a button is pressed on the alert puck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: VSN TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Amit Verma, Julio A. Abdala, Moises De La Cruz, Hao Nguyen, Guillermo Padin, Biren Patel, Jose Ruiz, Vinosh Diptee
  • Patent number: 9445233
    Abstract: Examples disclosed herein may relate to partitioning identity and/or position information for a plurality of wireless transmitters positioned within a geographical region into a plurality of sub-partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Gengsheng Zhang, Ju-Yong Do, Mark L. Moeglein
  • Patent number: 9445408
    Abstract: Distributed computing in a wireless communication system. Reports may be received from a plurality of nodes in a wireless communication system. Each respective report may include information regarding computing resources at the respective node. A notification of a request for a computing resource may be received from a first wireless user equipment device. A first node may be selected from the plurality of nodes to provide the computing resource based on the reports received from the plurality of nodes. The first node may be assigned to provide the computing resource.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Sassan Ahmadi
  • Patent number: 9439165
    Abstract: A position identification server according to the present application includes a storage unit that stores coefficients of parameters of a discriminant function that indicates whether or not a terminal device is located on each floor and a maximum value of pre-measured radio wave strength of each base station on each floor, a communication unit that receives an actual measurement value of radio wave strength of radio waves received by the terminal device from the base station, and a discrimination unit that calculates the parameters of the discriminant function for each floor based on the actual measurement value of radio wave strength received by the communication unit and the maximum value of radio wave strength stored in the storage unit, calculates a solution of the discriminant function for each floor based on the calculated parameters and the coefficients of the parameters stored in the storage unit, and when there are floors where the solution of the discriminant function is greater than or equal to a p
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: YAHOO JAPAN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Munehiro Azami
  • Patent number: 9438591
    Abstract: A biometric authentication device includes: a function module which executes a predetermined function; a biometric information acquisition unit which acquires biometric information of a user; a distance measurement unit which measures a distance to the user to output a measured value of the distance; a storage unit which stores data representing biometric information of a registrant; a biometric authentication unit which compares the acquired biometric information of the user with the biometric information of the registrant and authenticates the user when the biometric information of the user matches the biometric information of the registrant; a determination unit which determines whether or not to allow use of the predetermined function according to a temporal change of the measured value of the distance after the user has been authenticated; and a function control unit which controls enabling and disabling of the function module based on a determination result of the determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Soichi Hama
  • Patent number: 9439196
    Abstract: An electronic key conveyance system (10) of a medical institution (14) includes a control point (70). The control point (70) receives one or more electronic keys from a coordinator (12) of an MBAN spectrum. Each of the electronic keys authorizes the medical institution (14) to use at least a portion of the MBAN spectrum. The system (10) further includes a channel regulator (72) generating by a processor (80) one or more channel use rules based on the electronic keys. The channel use rules authorize MBAN systems (18, 20, 22) of the medical institution (14) to use the at least a portion of the MBAN spectrum. Even more, the system (10) includes one or more access points and/or ports (74, 76) notifying the MBAN systems (18, 20, 22) of presently authorized portions of the MBAN spectrum based on the channel use rules. The electronic key is based on the available spectrum of primary users like AMT, the rules are based on a key and the spectrum already occupied by other MBANs and their nodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Dong Wang
  • Patent number: 9438476
    Abstract: Methods, machine-readable media, and systems are provided for self-organization of a satellite grid 102. One method for self-organization of a satellite grid 102 includes receiving, with a first satellite 108-1, a list of a plurality of managed nodes 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, 110-4, 110-5, 110-6, 110-7, 110-8, 110-9, receiving, with the first satellite 108-1, rules, calculating a first claim score for a particular one of the plurality of managed nodes 110-1 and the first satellite 108-1 according to the rules, comparing the first claim score with a second claim score for the particular node 110-1 and a second satellite 108-2 that is managing the particular node 110-1, and claiming management of the particular node 110-1 based on the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
    Inventors: Carsten Schlipf, Joern Schimmelpfeng, Stefan Bergstein
  • Patent number: 9426715
    Abstract: A first access node receives from a wireless device in communication with the first access node an identifier of a second access node detected by the wireless device. It is determined that a communication link has not previously been established between the first access node and the second access node based on the identifier. The wireless device is instructed to provide a signal level of a signal from the second access node, and when the signal level of the second access node signal meets a criteria, a communication link is established between the first access node and the second access node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Greg Keller, Yun Sung Kim
  • Patent number: 9426236
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes calculating a first mean of check-in locations associated with a place; selecting a subset of the check-in locations based on distances between the first mean and the check-in locations; and determining a central location and at least a portion of a perimeter of the place based on the subset of the check-in locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Facebook, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuntao Jia, Mukund Narasimhan, Jonathan Chang, Joshua Redstone
  • Patent number: 9426777
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fine-resolution mapping of cellular network coverage and capacity are described herein. An example method can include passively monitoring communication of multiple communication terminals in a cellular communication network, extracting from the monitored communication multiple data points and cell identifiers, and mapping an actual geographical coverage of at least a given cell of the cellular network based on the multiple data points. In particular, the multiple data points can comprise geographical positions that are measured and reported by the communication terminals while served by respective cells of the cellular communication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Verint Systems Ltd.
    Inventors: Gustavo Litmanovich, Eithan Goldfarb
  • Patent number: 9420426
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inferring a current location of a user or device based on an analysis of a user location history are provided. In particular, when the current location of a device requesting a location-enhanced service cannot be determined with sufficient precision, a plurality of historical locations provided by the user location history can be scored according to a variety of parameters. The historical location receiving the highest score can be inferred to be the current location of the user, permitting the requested location-enhanced service to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Duleba, Lukasz Andrzej Heldt, Ankit Gupta
  • Patent number: 9410815
    Abstract: An entry point card displayed within a mapping application viewport may display context and other data based on a calendar appointment and other data that the user might, predictably, want to search for upon opening the mapping application. Using appointment information from a calendar application, an entry point card might display a time the user must leave his current location in order to make the appointment on time. Or, using a history of the user's routine errands or trips, the entry point card may display predicted information. For example, the card may display an amount of time to get to work or other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventors: Takahito Hirano, Ryo Kawaguchi, Masanori Goto, Koichi Suematsu, Pawel Szczepanski, Takahiro Kosakai, Naoto Kaneko, Taj J. Campbell, Peter Foo, Kaori Kozai
  • Patent number: 9414203
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device usage controller and methods of limiting device usage in a motor vehicle using audio environment and physical vibration information. The controller incorporates a real time audio feed from a microphone and runs through a pattern matching algorithm to determine the likelihood of the device being in a motor vehicle, such as an automobile, through the detection of environmental noise. The controller also incorporates a second data stream sampled from a motion sensor to determine vibration patterns felt by the device. The second data stream can also be used to determine the likelihood of the device being in a motor vehicle. Either one of the two data streams or the two data streams are combined to control or limit access to the device, automatically trigger assistance or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Synchronoss Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Sumeet Paul, Frank Martino
  • Patent number: 9408177
    Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes maintaining geographical information for a plurality of WiFi access points; and managing radio resources for a user equipment (UE) at a network element using the geographical information for the plurality of WiFi access points. In certain vitamins, the managing includes: verifying a cellular network type for the UE; preferentially admitting the UE if the UE is in a particular zone; verifying if the UE belongs to a first group associated with high data consumption; and verifying if a device associated with the UE belongs to a second group associated with high data consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Rajeev Koodli
  • Patent number: 9406035
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of providing communications for a mobile vehicle, comprising: a) providing the vehicle with the ability to communicate using a number of different communications methods; b) establishing a list of parameters, said list of parameters defining a set of criteria for determining the preferred attributes of the communications method to be used at any given time; and c) selecting a communications method based on said list of parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: TRAPEZE SOFTWARE INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Coil, Jamie Scherkenbach, James Trainor, Roland Kane
  • Patent number: 9389593
    Abstract: A mobile terminal may comprise an executing unit being configured to activate an alarm clock when the mobile terminal is off. The mobile terminal may be configured to receive a target alarm clock activation time; determine a time difference between a current time and the target alarm clock activation time; and compare the time difference with a first reference time period. Upon determining that time difference is less than the first reference time period, the mobile terminal may start up. Upon determining that the time that the mobile terminal completes the startup is less than a second reference time period, the mobile terminal may activate the alarm clock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Linghua Gu, Anyu Liu, Dongjie Qi, Xinyu Liu
  • Patent number: 9386413
    Abstract: A system is provided for providing location-specific images to a mobile device for display. The system generally comprises three components: a mobile device having a screen, a position identification system (e.g., a GPS receiver) that determines the position of the mobile device, and a database containing location-specific images taken at various locations. Each location-specific image is associated with geographic coordinates of the location at which the image was taken. Based on the position of the mobile device as determined by the position identification system, a location-specific image is selected from the database and displayed on the screen of the mobile device. For example, when a user is using the mobile device as a car navigation system, a location-specific image of the user's destination location can be selected and displayed when the determined position of the mobile device comes within a certain distance from the geographic coordinates of the destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: A9.com, Inc.
    Inventors: Udi Manber, Barnaby M. Dorfman, Jonathan A. Gold
  • Patent number: 9386415
    Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods in a mobile device for creating and/or using a geofence are presented. When creating a geofence, a mobile device collects at least one RF fingerprint. Each RF fingerprint includes transmitter information from a plurality of transmitters. The transmitter information includes information identifying the transmitter (e.g., location or MAC address of the transmitter) referred to here as absolute information. The transmitter information may also include information indication a relative position of the mobile device with respect to the transmitter (e.g., RTT or RSSI) referred to here as relative information. The RF fingerprints are used to define a geofence. Granularity may further be used to define a geofence. A first mobile device creates the geofence and sends it to a second mobile device, which looks for the geofence. When using the geofence, a second mobile device may trigger an application when a breach of the geofence is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Xintian Li, Marc Anthony Ische
  • Patent number: 9386507
    Abstract: Techniques for providing friction-free transactions using geolocation and user identifiers are described herein. These techniques may ascertain a user's location based on a location of a mobile device. A transaction between the user and a merchant may be completed with zero or minimal input from the user based on the geolocation of the mobile device and the user identifiers. In some implementations, a transaction initiated earlier is completed when the mobile device arrives at the merchant. Additionally, a parent-child or similar relationship may be established between multiple devices. Security on the mobile device based may be provided by biometric identification and calculation of variance from regular movement patterns. Advertisements may be sent to the mobile device based on bids from merchants near to the mobile device. Promotions may be sent to the mobile device when more than a threshold number of mobile devices are located at the same merchant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Harsha Ramalingam, Michael Carr, Paul J. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9380557
    Abstract: A method for selecting an out of service (OOS) scan mode for a wireless communication device is provided. The method can include the wireless communication device detecting occurrence of an OOS condition; setting a displacement threshold in response to the OOS condition; determining a displacement magnitude indicative of a distance traveled by the wireless communication device during the OOS condition; determining whether the displacement magnitude exceeds the displacement threshold; using a first scan mode to scan for network coverage in an instance in which it is determined that the displacement magnitude exceeds the displacement threshold; and using a second scan mode to scan for network coverage in an instance in which it is determined that the displacement magnitude does not exceed the displacement threshold. The first scan mode can have a greater scan frequency than the second scan mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Gencer Cili, Devrim Varoglu, Qi He
  • Patent number: 9374665
    Abstract: A method of providing location option control for Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) in LTE systems is provided. In one embodiment, a UE or an eNB receives an MDT location request that comprises an MDT location option configuration having one or more location options. The UE or eNB determines a first location option based on the MDT location option configuration and initiates positioning for MDT measurements, reporting, and logging according to the first location option. In one novel aspect, each location option is associated with a priority. In addition to MDT measurements, reporting, and logging, a UE determines the best positioning procedure from a list of available location options. In one novel aspect, under a specific positioning objective, the UE prioritizes the list of available location options based on the signal strength and/or quality of cellular and WLAN signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: MEDIATEK INC.
    Inventors: Per Johan Mikael Johansson, Tsung-Yu Chiou
  • Patent number: 9374799
    Abstract: The described examples provide a system and methods for identifying a location of a mobile device within an indoor venue using cellular communication signals obtained while the mobile device is within the indoor venue. An array of antennas arranged within the indoor venue detects cellular communication signals transmitted by the mobile device. The detected cellular communication signals have detectable and measurable signal parameters that allow the location of the mobile device within the indoor venue and an identifier of the mobile device to be determined. The determined identifier of the mobile device may also be used to identify the mobile device subscriber. The mobile device indoor location information may be used to update an anonymized subscriber profile associated with the mobile device subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Asif N. Batada, Ashfaq Kamal, Andrew E. Youtz, Brigitte Bastaldo-Tsampalis, Yuk Li, Manuel E. Caceres, Praveen Venkataramu
  • Patent number: 9374447
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a mobile terminal, and more particularly, to a mobile terminal capable of making a voice call and a control method thereof. A mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display unit formed to enable a touch input and display a screen associated with a call to the counterpart when requesting a call to the counterpart, and a controller configured to switch at least a partial region of the screen to a region for receiving information when an information transmission mode is executed on the screen, and transmit information received by a touch input applied to the switched region to the counterpart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sangwon Kim, Yunsun Choi, Mi Jin Cho
  • Patent number: 9369837
    Abstract: Techniques for supporting location services in a user plane location architecture such as Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) are described. In an aspect, a terminal informs a location server of service capabilities of the terminal. The location server uses the service capabilities to request only location services supported by the terminal and to avoid requesting unsupported location services. The terminal generates a message containing its service capabilities and sends the message via a user plane, e.g., SUPL. The location server receives the message, obtains the service capabilities of the terminal, and stores these service capabilities for future network-initiated location sessions with the terminal. The location server determines whether a location service is supported by the terminal based on the service capabilities of the terminal. The location server communicates with the terminal via the user plane for the location service if supported by the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Dominic Gerard Farmer, Andreas Klaus Wachter, Kirk Allan Burroughs
  • Patent number: 9369846
    Abstract: A wireless communication device disposed on a moving vehicle. The wireless communication device further includes a geographic location determination processor for determining a geographic location on a city map. The wireless communication device further receives a vehicle location and arrival schedule request for sending a message to a passenger waiting for the vehicle for providing the geographic location on the city map and an estimated arrival time of the vehicle to a passenger waiting for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Inventor: Bo-In Lin
  • Patent number: 9369857
    Abstract: A mobile device automatically is configured to the emergency alert system (EAS) channel utilized by the cellular site from which the mobile device registers with a network. In an example configuration, an EAS server provides a mobile switching center (MSC) configuration information regarding the emergency alert channels to be used for the cellular sites supported by the MSC. When the mobile device registers via a cellular site supported by the MSC, the designated channel to be used for EAS messages is sent to the mobile device as part of the registration process. The mobile device assigns an internal channel to the designated channel. In another example configuration, the mobile device is preconfigured with a table listing all possible EAS channels, and the MSC provides, during the registration process, a pointer to the appropriate portion of the table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Brian Kevin Daly, DeWayne Allan Sennett, Alexander E. Silverman