Abstract: A method for measuring a carrier in a deactivated state. The method includes receiving a configuration mode that does not take effect immediately by a user terminal (UE). If a deactivation control signal for a carrier is received by the UE or if a carrier timer of the UE expires, then the method includes switching the carrier from an activated state to a deactivated state, and measuring the carrier in deactivated state by the UE. Alternatively, if an activation control signal for a carrier in the deactivated state that is being measured is received by the UE, the method includes terminating measurement of the carrier in the deactivated state by the UE. Through controllable deactivated carrier measurement, the UE reduces battery power consumption and improves system performance. Embodiments also include an apparatus for measuring a carrier in deactivated state, a base station, and computer-readable storage medium for performing the method.

Abstract: A method of encouraging safe driving of a vehicle using a remote starter device installed at a vehicle is provided. The remote starter device determines whether it is in signal communication with a remote starter application operating at a mobile computing device separate from the remote starter device. When the remote starter device is in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device permits ignition of the vehicle. When the remote starter device is not in signal communication with the remote starter application, the remote starter device prevents ignition of the vehicle. During operation of the vehicle, one or more communication features at the remote starter device may be restricted.

Abstract: A method and system for sharing indoor location information with one or more application program modules within a portable computing device (“PCD”) includes receiving an indoor location data request and determining if a location service is currently being executed by the PCD. If the location service is not being executed, it is determined if a location engine of the PCD has been installed. If the location engine of the portable computing device has not been installed, then the code for the location engine is downloaded from a communications network. Next, the location service may be executed once the location engine has been installed. It is determined if the indoor location data being requested is present in a memory element of the PCD. If the indoor location data being requested is not present in the memory element of the PCD, then the indoor location data is downloaded from the communications network.

Abstract: Methods and devices for managing a cellular communication system (1) and mobile terminals (40) are presented. A collective positioning measurement order (50) is issued to a multitude of mobile terminals (40) in a first cell (10) of the cellular communication system (1). This issuing is preferably performed intermittently at a multitude of times according to a predetermined rule. Each mobile terminal (40) receives information concerning a collective positioning measurement order. The mobile terminal (40) performs a positioning operation, typically a positioning measurement on a ranging signal (51, 52) or transmission of a ranging signal (53), preferably intermittently at a multitude of times, according to a predetermined rule based on the information concerning the collective positioning measurement order. An updating of a storage with positioning data can preferably be obtained.

Abstract: Techniques where a computer system is able to obtain information about a subject by communicating with a device that employs a limited range communication technology and is associated with the subject are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile network (10) organized into a plurality of location areas and service areas gathering a geographically homogeneous set of cells of the mobile network, with gathering of the femtocells into specific additional service areas. The emission of an SMS from a user equipment (14) coupled to a femtocell (30) triggers a location step, with communication to a location platform of the network of a rough location comprising service area codes SAC and location area codes LAC corresponding to the femtocell, and of a fine location comprising unique data, such as IP address and INSEE code, of identification of the Internet box (20) associated to the femtocell. These data are then transmitted to the platform by the SMS management centre. The femtocells may hence operate in open mode, each femtocell being able to be coupled to any user equipment registered with the mobile network operator.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for implementing a location update that includes: receiving a routing area update request message which includes a mixed location update indication and a routing area identification (RAI) and is sent by a serving radio network subsystem (SRNS); performing, at least according to the RAI, a routing area update; at least according to the routing area update request message, obtaining a location area identification (LAI) and an address of a visitor location register (VLR) which are of a 2G network system where a mobile terminal is located; and sending the location area update request message, which carries at least the mixed location update indication and the LAI, to the VLR corresponding to the address of the VLR such that the VLR corresponding to the address of the VLR implements a location area update, at least according to the location area update request message.

Abstract: A method of selecting the positioning method(s) used to respond to given positioning requests uses historical performance data reflecting the actual performance yielded by one or more of the positioning methods that are generally available for selection. As a non-limiting example, a positioning node maintains or otherwise has access to historical data reflecting the QoS obtained for at least some of the positioning methods supported by the node. Correspondingly, the node compares the QoS requirements associated with an incoming positioning request to the historical performance data, to identify the positioning method(s) that appear to best satisfy the requirements.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a hierarchal base station almanac received at a mobile station.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods and techniques for obtaining round trip time (RTT) measurements from acquisition of signals at one or more mobile devices, the signals being transmitted by one or more transmitters; approximating locations of the one or more mobile devices while obtaining the RTT measurements; and combining the measurements to determine expected RTT signature values at discrete positions in the area based, at least in part, on the obtained RTT measurements and the approximated locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for reporting location information reports location information to a base station when there is a reporting request for location information necessary for wireless location measurement from the base station and reports the location information necessary for the wireless location measurement to the base station according to a reporting period. In addition, the apparatus for reporting location information reports the location information to the base station when events are generated within the reporting period.

Abstract: A method of tracking a first wireless communications device using another computing device, such as a second wireless communications device, includes obtaining current position data for the first wireless communications device and obtaining one or more of speed data, time data, and path data for the first wireless communications device. The first wireless device then transmits the current position data and at least one of the speed data, time data and path data to the second wireless communications device or other computing device. In addition to current position data, the speed, path and time data facilitate tracking of the first wireless communications device. When a first mobile user wants a second mobile user to follow him, the first mobile user can put his device in “follow me” (tracking) mode. This is particularly useful when the first and second mobile users are traveling in respective cars or other vehicles.

Abstract: In a method in association with a communication system a request for a connection is signaled between a user equipment and another party. The requested connection is then analyzed. Subsequent to detection that location information is required in association with the requested connection, a process for determining information about the location of the user equipment is activated. First information in association with the determining process is communicated on a control plane between the user equipment and the communication system, while second information in association with the determining process is communicated on a user plane between the user equipment and the communication system. An arrangement in association with location services and a user equipment capable of providing location information is also disclosed.

Abstract: Mobile station information is exchanged between a plurality of distributed mobility agents (106, 108). The exchange is initiated by a mobility agent (106) associated with a last known network access point (110) that has communicated with the mobile station (114). The mobile station (114) is paged from at least one network access point using an available air interface technology to interface with the mobile station (114) and using the mobile station information. No centralized controller is used in the paging.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining position of a target device relative to a mobile structure are disclosed. The method includes obtaining measurements by the target device with respect to a plurality of radio beacons, determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure using the measurements, and determining location of the target device relative to the mobile structure using the measurements. The method of determining whether the target device is on the mobile structure includes at least one of comparing motion of target device with motion of mobile structure, detecting mobile radio beacon(s) on the mobile structure from the target device over a period of time, comparing velocity and location of the target device with respect to velocity and location of the mobile structure, comparing measurements obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons, and comparing locations obtained by target device from the plurality of radio beacons.

Abstract: There is provided systems and method for completion of item delivery and transactions using a mobile beacon. A mobile beacon may use short range wireless communications, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, and a wireless communication link with a merchant at a main merchant location. Thus, a mobile merchant for a merchant in a remote location, such as a delivery man, delivery drone, or concession salesperson, may bring the mobile beacon during a sale. The mobile beacon may transmit a request to establish a connection with the merchant to a user device, such as a check-in process. The connection may correspond to a payment made to the merchant based on the service being provided. Additionally, the request may be specific to a user and include an alert of the mobile merchant's proximity. In other embodiments, a list of nearby mobile merchants may be presented to the user.

Abstract: An opt-in and time limited bi-directional real-time location sharing (OTLBLS) system and method that enable individual users of the disclosed system to communicate bi-directionally in real-time while also sharing certain information including, for example, locations, messages and metadata.

Abstract: Location information may be provided for a mobile station based on the serving area that is currently serving the mobile station. The location information may include a representative location (e.g., a centroid location of the serving area) and an uncertainty (e.g., a distance between the representative location and a boundary of the serving area). The representative location and uncertainty for a serving area may depend on the status of at least one neighboring area. For example, the effective size of a serving area may become larger when a neighboring area is heavily loaded or out of service. In an embodiment, a location server receives a request to locate a mobile station, selects a representative location and uncertainty for the serving area that is serving the mobile station based on the status of at least one neighboring area, and reports the representative location and uncertainty in response to the request.

Abstract: A system, method, service and mobile device are disclosed for providing a location of the mobile device. The invention utilizes a mobile phone with a global positioning system (GPS) module which is located in a wireless network. A third party device is able to submit a location query to a mobile telephone service operator (MTSO). This location query includes the mobile phone's telephone number. Using the telephone number, the MTSO determines the base station with which the mobile phone is associated. The location query is then forwarded to the mobile phone via the base station. The mobile phone collects the GPS data from the GPS module and forwards the GPS data to the base station. The base station converts the GPS data to location information and forwards the location information to the third party device via the MTSO.

Abstract: An asset tracking system that optimizes the value per ping by tying the ping to movement of the asset. The asset tracking device will send a ping to a remote host (i.e., receiver) when pre-determined condition(s) regarding the movement are met, conditions such as time between movements, the pattern of movement, and number of movements within a time period. In such a manner, the value per ping is optimized, leading to increased battery life and decreased operational cost. To satisfy these conditions and exception events, the asset tracking device is equipped with appropriate sensors, actuators, and trigger mechanism(s). The sensors and actuators detect movements and/or confirm or recognize a sequence of movements. When the detected movements and/or sequence of movements match a predetermined, recognized pattern or condition, the trigger mechanism is activated, after which a data ping is sent.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods, systems, and software are provided to provide location services to a mobile device. In an embodiment, a method comprises receiving a call request (including a caller identification) for a call from a mobile device, and determining if the call qualifies for a status update based on the caller identification. In response to determining that the call qualifies for a status update, the method also comprises receiving a location of the mobile device, determining the identity of a mobile unit that is in progress to the location of the mobile device, and initiating a location request of the mobile unit, receiving a location of the mobile unit in response to the location request, and providing status information based on the location of the mobile unit and the location of the mobile device to a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device may be operable to collect location data for a RF node and cache the collected location data in the mobile device. Resources that may be utilized for improving the uploading of the cached location data to a location server may be determined by the mobile device. The cached location data may be communicated, to the location server for updating a location database, by the mobile device utilizing the determined resources. The mobile device may determine and utilize an opportunistic transport based on a data usage and/or an access. The mobile device may store a subset of the location database locally for comparing with the cached location data for redundancy. The compared location data may be transmitted by the mobile device to the location server for updating the location database if the compared location data are not redundant data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to utilize a set of measurements (either partial or compete) to improve the accuracy of an initial position estimate for a wireless terminal. The initial position estimate for the terminal is first obtained (e.g., based on a cell-ID or an enhanced cell-ID solution). Measurements are obtained for the terminal. The initial position estimate is then updated with the measurements to obtain a revised position estimate for the terminal. The updating may be performed by (1) deriving a measurement vector based on the initial position estimate and the measurements, (2) forming an observation matrix for the measurements, (3) determining a matrix of weights, (4) deriving a correction vector based on the measurement vector, the observation matrix, and the weight matrix, and (5) updating the initial position estimate with the correction vector.

Abstract: A method of providing location privacy of a mobile station in a wireless access system is disclosed. The method of providing location privacy of a mobile station comprises the steps of transmitting a deregistration request message to a serving base station, the deregistration message requesting entry to an idle mode; and receiving a deregistration command message from the serving base station, the deregistration command message including a temporary identifier allocated to the mobile station. In this case, the temporary identifier is an identifier for uniquely identifying the mobile station from a paging group to which the serving base station belongs.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, apparatuses, articles, etc. for mobile device locating in conjunction with localized environments. For certain example implementations, a method may comprise obtaining at a mobile device one or more signals comprising information indicative of a location thereof. The information may be transmitted to one or more servers. A location context identifier (LCI) may be received responsive to the transmitting, with the LCI corresponding to a localized environment at which the mobile device is located. The LCI may be transmitted to the one or more servers. Location-based data may be received responsive to the transmitting of the LCI, with the location-based data being associated with the LCI and pertaining to the localized environment. The location of the mobile device may be determined with respect to the localized environment based, at least in part, on the location-based data. Other example implementations are described herein.

Abstract: A method in a mobile node for enabling determination of a position of a device. The method comprises receiving a positioning request message, including an identification of the device. The method further comprises transmitting an alert signal to the device, including the identification of the device. The method further comprises receiving a response signal from the device, including the identification of the device. The method further comprises calculating a distance or a direction to the device by measuring the received response signal, thereby enabling of determination of the position of the device.

Abstract: A method and system for handling position determination devices and related position in mobile equipment is described.

Abstract: A system for controlling a station operation mode is provided. The system for controlling a station operation mode, including: a distance information generation unit measuring a distance between a first communication station and a second communication station and generating distance information; a distance information comparison unit comparing the distance information and a predetermined threshold distance; and an operation mode determination unit determining any one of an active mode and an idle mode as an operation mode of the second communication station, based on a comparison result of the distance information comparison unit.

Abstract: It is inter alia disclosed to estimate at least one of a location and an orientation of a first-type device (11) at least based on respective location estimates for one or more signal sources (10), wherein at least one location estimate for a signal source (10) of the one or more signal sources is determined at least based on respective signals from the signal source (10) received at one or more second-type devices (12) and respective locations of the one or more second-type devices (12), and respective position relationships between the one or more signal sources (10) and the first-type device (11).

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides for employing timed fingerprint location information in location analytics. Timed fingerprint location information can provide a location for a user equipment. The location of the user equipment can be compared to a location analytics rule related to the location of a user equipment. Where the location satisfies a condition of the location analytics rule, the user equipment can be associated with a compliance status. Compliance, or noncompliance, can initiate further action. Further action can include reporting the compliance status, verifying the identity of a user associated with the user equipment, enforcing the location analytics rule, etc. Enforcing the location analytics rule can include alerts, fines, reporting to an authority figure or agency, etc.

Abstract: Described are a system and method of managing a real-time communication initiated to a mobile communications device. A communication from an originating communications device is sensed as being directed to a first destination address corresponding to a mobile communications device. Location information of the mobile communications device is determined. The communication is directed to a second destination address based on the determined location of the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method of collecting RF fingerprint data in a cross-correlated manner is disclosed. At each of a plurality of locations RF signals are sensed with a wireless communication device to form first sensed data, the RF signals transmitted according to a first standard. At each of the plurality of locations RF signals are sensed with a wireless communication device to form second sensed data, the RF signals transmitted according to a second other standard. Location is sensed to provide location data relating to said location. Then, the first sensed data, the second sensed data and the location data are stored within a database for forming a plurality of RF fingerprints related to a plurality of locations.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter provides for sharing timed fingerprint location information. In an aspect, timed fingerprint location information can be associated with a location of a user equipment. This timed fingerprint location information can be shared with other devices. As such, with proper analysis, these other devices can employ the shared timed fingerprint location information to determine their location. In an aspect, the other devices can determine that they are located at the same location as the user equipment. However, a level of error can be inherent in the location determined from shared timed fingerprint location information. In some embodiments, this error can be compensated for.

Abstract: A navigation method includes the following computer-implemented steps. A target mobile electronic device is identified. A geographical location of the target mobile electronic device is ascertained. Information is transmitted to a sender mobile electronic device. The information identifies the geographical location of the target mobile electronic device. A route along roadways from the sender mobile electronic device to the geographical location of the target mobile electronic device is determined. The determining step is dependent upon the information.

Abstract: A management device includes a management table generation section that generates a management table in which location information showing the present location of a relay device is held in each relay device that relays the connection to a first network, a first receiving section that receives a location information showing the present location of a communication device from the communication device via a second network different from the first network, the communication device being connected to the first network via a relay device, a list generation section that generates a candidate list showing relay device candidates that relay a connection to the first network by communicating with the communication device with reference to the management table based on the location information of the communication device, and a transmission section that transmits the candidate list to the communication device via a second network.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for proximity-based notifications are described. A proximity-based notification system can receive a request to be notified when a contact's mobile device is in proximity to a user's mobile device, obtain permission to receive information associated with the contact, receive the information associated with the contact, detect that the contact's mobile device is in proximity to the user's mobile device based on the information associated with the contact, and notify the user that the contact's mobile device is in proximity to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Mentally challenged persons such as autistic children and Alzheimer's patients can become lost and they are hard to find because they have difficulty communicating or they are confused and disoriented. The present invention provides an apparatus, system and methods for locating lost persons (or animals or packages) whether they are indoors or outdoors. The apparatus comprises a cellular telephone unit which can be activated by a RF signal and which a child or patient can wear. The wearable unit can be activated by a caregiver's smart phone having a locating application installed therein. The locating application enables the caregiver to locate the lost person using radio direction finder triangulation when the lost person is within a few hundred feet of the caregiver. When the lost person is further away, the locating application employs cell phone tower triangulation or the wearable unit GPS/Assisted GPS application to determine an approximate location of the lost person.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to systems and methods for gathering information about wireless transceiver devices in a defined boundary region. To this end, the disclosure is more particularly directed to gathering movement information (e.g., via detection and location) about two-way end-user wireless terminals within three-dimensional boundaries of defined local space (“DLS”) to allow for selective control of the terminals and other subsystems, as desired. Additionally, the data collected can be used to improve accuracy and precision regarding the prediction of behavior characteristics and tendencies of populations based on a sampling of observed terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a neighboring device are provided. The method of identifying a neighboring device, which is performed in a user terminal, includes: obtaining identification information and location information of a plurality of neighboring devices that can wirelessly communicate with the user terminal; extracting the identification information of one of the neighboring devices, the neighboring device being in the actual location range within the field of vision of the user terminal; and using the extracted identification information to request that the neighboring device perform wireless communication with the user terminal. According to the method and apparatus, identification information of a neighboring device with which a user terminal desires to perform wireless communication can be obtained using a viewfinder or liquid crystal display of the user terminal.

Abstract: A location system and applications therefor is disclosed for wireless telecommunication infrastructures. The system is an end-to-end solution having one or more location systems for outputting requested locations of hand sets or mobile stations (MS) based on, e.g., CDMA, GSM, GPRS, TDMA or WIFI communication standards, for processing both local mobile station location requests and more global mobile station location requests via, e.g., Internet communication between a distributed network of location systems. The following applications may be enabled by the location system: 911 emergency calls, tracking, navigation, people and animal location including applications for confinement to and exclusion from certain areas, friend finder applications, and applications for allocating user desired resources based on the user's location.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for protecting privacy when a mobile device is located in a defined privacy zone are described herein. The available features that a user of a mobile device may use are controlled while the mobile device is located in a define privacy zone. Once a mobile device is detected in the define privacy zone, a database is accessed to determine if the mobile device has the features available that are to be disabled. If the features are available, a disable signal is sent via the communications network to the mobile device and the feature is disabled. Once the mobile device is detected to be outside of the defined privacy zone, the previously disabled mobile device feature is enabled.

Abstract: A method of detecting a transmitting device within an obstruction rich environment is disclosed. The method may involve detecting the transmitting device with a wireless transmission detection facility; communicating signal information relating to the detected transmitting device from the wireless transmission detection facility to a central unit; determining the location of the transmitting device; displaying information of the detection and location of the transmitting device through a user interface; and providing an action facility for causing actions related to the detected transmitting device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing the operation and capacity of a wireless coexistence community having devices with multiple differing air interfaces that share physical or spectral access resources such as time, frequency, code, etc. These methods and apparatus allow the multiple devices to manage interference among one another fairly or according to one or more policy objectives, despite having different physical layer operations and implementations. In one embodiment, a mathematics-based model is utilized in accordance with device profiles to intelligently optimize the operation of one or more of the wireless devices according to a “good neighbor” paradigm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods that employ various mechanisms to selectively disable mobile device functionality. In general, mobile devices can be utilized to store personal and/or highly sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card numbers and the like. If the mobile device is lost or stolen, data stored within the device can be accessed by an unauthorized user; and, thus, any personal and/or highly sensitive information can be obtained. In order to mitigate unauthorized access, the subject invention provides a disabling component that communicates with the lost or stolen device to render data stored thereon inaccessible. Further, the data can be stored in local or remote locations to backup stored information, thereby creating a more robust and reliable method of storing information important to the device owner. These features provide enhancements over conventional mobile device security techniques.

Abstract: A location of a mobile device in a venue can be estimated by using a state space estimator to determine candidate locations of the mobile device at a first time point based on previous candidate positions conditioned upon an observation of one or more environmental variables. A second observation is received at a second time point, and the state space estimator performs a propagation step to determine the candidate locations at the second time point based on the candidate locations at the first time point and the second observation. The propagation step includes a plurality of sub-propagation steps in which a time length between the sub-propagation steps is a fraction of the time length between the first and second time points, and at each sub-propagation step each candidate location is propagated according to a stochastic process. The location of the mobile device at the second time point is determined based on the candidate locations at the second time point.

Abstract: A method of detecting a transmitting device within an obstruction rich environment is disclosed. The method may involve detecting the transmitting device with a wireless transmission detection facility; communicating signal information relating to the detected transmitting device from the wireless transmission detection facility to a central unit; determining the location of the transmitting device; displaying information of the detection and location of the transmitting device through a user interface; and providing an action facility for causing actions related to the detected transmitting device.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless location specific information request and retrieval using a communication network comprising: a wireless user display device communicating over the network with a server and the server communicating with a location information database or directly interacting with the third party representative associated with the property, business, landmark, product, event or object of user's interest. The method includes capturing image of the property, business, landmark, product, event or object of user's interest or manually inputting the information request regarding property, business, landmark, product, event or object of user's interest using the wireless user display device along with the geographic location of the property, business, landmark, product, event or object of user's interest and then requesting the either the associated third party representative or the server for the related information.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may perform, for example, a method for receiving interference information from each of the plurality of communication devices detecting interference information in a plurality of segments of a radio frequency spectrum, correlating the interference information of the plurality of communication devices to generate correlated information, and identifying a plurality of interferers according to the correlated information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for localization of a mobile device in a distributed antenna communications system. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a distributed antenna system includes a plurality of distributed antennas that are communicatively coupled to a hub. A mobile communications device to be located is communicatively coupled to the hub via one or more of the antennas. The method for locating the mobile device comprises: receiving a message at the hub that identifies the mobile device to be located; discriminating among communications signals received from each of the distributed antennas using a channel and a spreading code to identify a signal from the mobile device; identifying messages from the mobile device to be located; and determining which of the antennas is closest to the mobile device to be located by monitoring received signal strength of the identified signal.