Abstract: A method of using a non-GPS-derived technique to estimate the location of an Assisted-GPS-enabled wireless terminal for the purposes of generating location-specific assistance data for the wireless terminal is disclosed. The wireless terminal then uses the assistance data to acquire and process one or more GPS signals and to derive information that is probative of the wireless terminal's location. The GPS-derived location information is then combined with non-GPS-derived location to form an estimate of the location of the wireless terminal that is better than can be derived from either alone. This combination of GPS-derived and non-GPS techniques is particularly useful when the wireless terminal can only acquire one or two GPS signals because it is not possible to determine the location of the wireless terminal with only two GPS signals alone.

Abstract: A computer server provides location of a mobile device to a user. The computer server allocates to an account for the user a predetermined number of location credits associated with a purchase made by the user; The computer server receives, from the user, identification information that identifies the mobile device. Upon the user requesting a current location of the mobile device, the computer server checks to see whether there remains location credits allocated to the account for the user and, provided there remains location credits allocated to the account for the user, provides to the user location information about the current location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generate metrics quantifying the mobility of a mobile device without persisting information related to the device's specific location at any given time. Specifically, at multiple intervals, a value of a mobility metric is computed based on the distance between the current location of the mobile device and a previously identified origin location of the mobile device. The values of the mobility metric computed over a period of time quantify the overall mobility of the mobile device. The mobility metric does not provide any information regarding the specific location of the mobile device at any given time.

Abstract: A method includes determining that a wireless telephone is in a moving vehicle using, e.g., speed as calculated by the telephone using GPS signals or co-location of the telephone with a vehicle as might be determined by receiving the vehicle's position via Bluetooth. Use of the telephone is selectively denied if it is determined that the telephone is in a vehicle.

Abstract: An improved User Plane location based service (LBS) architecture and message flow, enabling seamless User Plane location based services even when a mobile or wireless device has roamed among different carrier networks. The present invention overcomes constraints inherent in the current protocol for roaming support defined by the Secure User Plane Location Service specification. A location system is enabled to automatically fall back to a message tunneling mechanism to ensure the security of a communication path between the location service system and the target wireless device, ensuring that the communication path is uninterrupted as the wireless device travels.

Abstract: Mobile agents can be deployed to location aware mobile devices within specific regions of interest to achieve specific goals in respect of events occurring in the region of interest. In order to ensure that the agent can persist within the region of interest until the agent goals are achieved, the agent is configured to locate other devices within the region of interest and to propagate itself, by moving or copying itself, to those other devices. When a device hosting the agent exits the region of interest, the agent is terminated, thereby freeing device resources.

Abstract: A method of user-generated community publication in an online neighborhood social network is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying a location of a portable terminal of another subscriber's by the calling party's portable terminal. This display occurs during a call without switching displayed screen windows or applications. The method includes a first portable terminal performing a call mode; driving a camera upon receiving location information of the other subscriber's terminal in the call mode to display an image photographed by the camera; and analyzing location information detected by a location detection unit and the received location information of a second portable terminal of another subscriber to calculate a distance between two terminals and displaying a location of the other subscriber's terminal on the displayed image when a direction of the calling party's terminal detected by a direction detection unit aligns with a direction of the other subscriber's terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for messages, such as short messages and multi-media messages. In one implementation a message is received from a sender, a location of the sender is determined, the message is modified to include the location of the sender, and the modified message is transmitted to a recipient.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting positioning of user equipments (UEs) with network-based measurements are described. In one design, a network entity (e.g., a location server) may obtain at least one measurement for a UE, e.g., a power headroom measurement, a spatial direction measurement, an uplink timing measurement, an uplink pilot measurement, an observed time difference of arrival (OTDOA) measurement, or a combination thereof. The network entity may determine a location estimate for the UE based on the at least one measurement for the UE and a database of measurements for different locations, e.g., using pattern matching or interpolation. In one design, the network entity may receive measurements and locations of a plurality of UEs and may update the database based on the measurements and locations of these UEs. The database may also be updated based on measurements obtained by test UEs during test drives.

Abstract: The communication apparatus includes an IF that receives positioning information of a mobile user terminal from the mobile user terminal which is able to communicate by using at least one wireless communication scheme; and a controller that detects one or more communicable areas that allow communication by using the at least one wireless communication scheme, by determining which area includes a position indicated by the positioning information among a plurality of areas.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a processing system, a memory system, and a wireless communication transceiver. The processing system is configured to maintain device status information in the memory system of the wireless communication device, encode the device status information to generate an update status message in a bitstream protocol, and detect a condition of the wireless communication device which could impede a connection with a wireless access node. The wireless communication transceiver is configured to, in response to the processing system detecting the condition of the wireless communication device, transmit the update status message before the connection with the wireless access node is lost.

Abstract: A route search device includes: map data; a derived route acquisition section that acquires a first derived route from an origin point to a destination; a route correction region acquisition section that acquires a route correction region; a place to be passed through setting section that sets a place to be passed through in the route correction region; a start point and end point setting section that sets a start point and an end point in the route correction region; a corrected route acquisition section that acquires a corrected route; and a route correction section that corrects the first derived route to a second derived route from the origin point to the destination, constituted by a route from the origin point to the start point, the corrected route, and a route from the end point to the destination.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for tracking points of interest of a user of a mobile device are disclosed. One method includes determining points of interest of a user of a mobile device. The method includes obtaining user-related information, wherein the user-related information includes spatial information about the user, and determining at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information. Another embodiment includes an apparatus for determining points of interest of a user. For one embodiment, the apparatus is a mobile device. The mobile device is operative to obtain user-related information, wherein the user-related information comprising spatial information about the user, and the mobile device is operative to determine at least one point of interest of the user based on the user-related information.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for improving the localization of a wireless communication device within an area covered by a transceiver infrastructure includes triggering the wireless communication device to emit a positioning signal. A positioning signal is received from the wireless communication device by a further wireless communication device at a known position within the area covered by the transceiver infrastructure. The transceiver infrastructure includes at least three transceivers. A forwarding positioning signal is transmitted from the further wireless communication device to at least one of the transceivers. The wireless communication device is located based on the forwarding positioning signal.

Abstract: Wireless communication methods determine a position of a first wireless base station. A wireless communication frequency to be used by the first wireless base station is determined by identifying a common frequency that can be used at a plurality of locations surrounding and spaced apart from the position of the first wireless base station that was determined. The first wireless base station may be a femto-base station and the frequency may be an unlicensed frequency. Related systems and devices are also described.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for locating the seek and find RF device are provided. An exemplary embodiment of a seek and find RF device receives a first RF cell phone signal from a requesting party device, wherein the first RF cell phone signal includes at least a location query requesting location information of the seek and find RF device, and wherein the location query is directed to the seek and find RF device using a mobile device identifier. The seek and find RF device receives at least three GPS satellite signals and determines a location of the seek and find RF device based upon the at least three GPS satellite signals. The seek and find RF device then transmits a second RF cell phone signal, wherein the second RF cell phone signal includes the determined location, and wherein the second RF cell phone signal is directed to the requesting party device using a device identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for using a mobile multi-radio access technology (multi-RAT) device for locating an individual, for example, in a search-and-rescue application. The multi-RAT device may permit the individual's cell phone to attach to the mobile multi-RAT device, and then may use a directional antenna to locate the individual. Various embodiments of such a device are described.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a location of a UE includes receiving UE position information from a UE being serviced by a plurality of base stations. The UE position information may include a signal reception time and a signal transmission time or a timing advance for at least two of the plurality of base stations. The signal transmission time being a measured time for a signal being transmitted by the UE to be received by a base station, the signal reception time being a measured time for a signal being transmitted by the base station to be received by the UE, and the timing advance being a difference between the signal transmission time and the signal reception time for the base station. The method may include determining a location of the UE based on the received UE position information.

Abstract: A method of managing place data for a mobile device, the method comprising storing place data for a place in a centralized place database and receiving input to specify which one or more applications on the mobile device are to have access to the place data for the place. In response to a place data request from a data-requesting application executing on the mobile device, the device determines if the data-requesting application has access to the place data for the place and provides the place data to the data-requesting application only if the data-requesting application has access. This technology enables the device to control the sharing of place data among applications on the device.

Abstract: To improve convenience of a function of rearranging and conveying information registered in an address book. A mobile phone, if any one of users registered in an address book is selected, obtains location information of a mobile phone owned by the selected user from a location search server. The mobile phone, by comparing location information of a home or an office of the selected user registered in the address book and the location information of the mobile phone obtained from the location search server, decides an indication sequence of plural communication addresses registered in the address book for the selected user.

Abstract: A location provision facility communicates with a mobile telecommunications device over an IP-based telecommunications network to obtain information that enables the facility to determine a location of the telecommunications device. The facility and/or the telecommunications device store the determined location. In response to requests from location-based applications for the location of the telecommunications device, the facility can provide the location-based applications with the stored or calculated location.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for the authentication of the physical location of a target node are disclosed herein. In one or more embodiments, the authentication of the target node's physical location is achieved by using ping ranging measurements obtained from the amount of time that elapses during ping messages being sent between the target node and at least one trusted node with a known physical location. The physical location of the trusted node(s) is obtained by using satellite geolocation techniques. The accuracy of the ranging measurements may be improved upon by using pre-coordination and/or priority determination of the ping messages being sent between the target node and the trusted node(s). In at least one embodiment, the ping messages are sent by dedicated ping response hardware that is associated with the target node and/or the trusted node(s). In some embodiments, the ping messages include a pseudo random code bit sequence.

Abstract: Mobile stations initiate location determination sessions, such as at predetermined time intervals, with a wireless telecommunications network. The wireless telecommunications network obtains the locations of the mobile stations as a result of the location determination sessions, and the mobile station locations are stored in one or more location registers. The location information stored in the location register(s) may then be used by location-based applications. For example, an application may request that the wireless telecommunications network provide a specified service to the mobile stations that are located in a specified zone according to the mobile station locations stored in the location register(s).

Abstract: Systems and methods of determining proximity of a mobile device to a target location are described herein. A method as described herein includes identifying a signal sent by the mobile device and received by respective ones of a set of receivers including at least a first receiver and a second receiver, wherein the first receiver and second receiver are positioned collinearly to the target location; determining a first signal-quality metric observed at the first receiver and a second signal-quality metric observed at the second receiver with respect to the signal; computing a ratio associated with distances from the mobile device to the first receiver and the second receiver, respectively, based on the first signal-quality metric and the second signal-quality metric; and determining whether the mobile device is within a proximity region defined in relation to the target location based on the ratio.

Abstract: A mobile participation platform enables a wireless network operator or third party to solicit response data related to a specific time and location specific event by signaling multiple mobile device users that meet predefined qualifications. The qualifications include presence at the specific location at the specific time, and may include other characteristics, such as prior consent to receive solicitations, and particular device type or data collection functionality. The platform locates mobile devices that may qualify for participation, and generates and transmits a solicitation. Mobile devices receiving the solicitation may activate a participation client to acknowledge the solicitation and to contribute by submitting the requested response data, which may include photos, text, sensor data, audio, video and the like.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cluster head assisted method for converting a user terminal from device-to-device (D2D) communication to cellular communication. When quality of a D2D link between a user terminal and a cluster head is lower than a predetermined threshold, if the user terminal has to leave the cluster but still expects to continue an original the service, the user terminal performs cell search and random access, and establishes a radio resource control (RRC) connection with a target base station of a cellular network. Switching from D2D communication to cellular communication is implemented with the assistance of the cluster head, and a communication manner after the switching is provided. The present invention implements mobile switching from D2D communication in distributed cluster communication to cellular communication, which can reduce route search delay and save wireless resources.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a decision processing module arranged to determine whether a first mobile user terminal and a second mobile user terminal are within a relative geographic proximity of one another, in dependence on a property of intermediate network equipment of a packet-switched network to which the first and second mobile user terminals are operable to connect. The apparatus also comprises a location processing module arranged to obtain a geographic location of the second mobile user terminal and, on condition that the first and second user terminals are determined to be within the proximity determined by the decision module, to use the geographic location of the second mobile user terminal in estimating a geographic location of the first mobile user terminal.

Abstract: An implementation of a system, device and method for communicating location data of a mobile station, enhancing location data, optimally communicating Assistance Data, and/or reducing rebids of Measure Position Request messages in a wireless network.

Abstract: Systems, methods and interfaces are disclosed for managing communications associated with a mobile communication device. Mobile communication devices process environmental inputs and transmit mobile communication device context information to a communication management system. The context information may, for example, reflect the motion and/or geographic location of the mobile device, and may reflect the risk associated with using the device to handle a call or other communications session. The communication management system uses the context information, optionally in combination with communication device profiles, to determine how to manage incoming and/or ongoing calls or other communication sessions. Mobile device users may also be inhibited from initiating communication sessions.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for ranking devices based on a distance from a merchant device. One of the methods includes displaying, in a point-of-sale system, a listing of buyers located proximate to the point-of-sale system, the buyers having indicated using their mobile devices a desire to pursue a financial transaction in association with the point-of-sale system. The point-of-sale system determines relative distances of the mobile devices of the buyers with respect to the point-of-sale system and arranges the displayed listing in the point-of-sale system based at least in part on the determined relative distances.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting positioning protocols consistent with the capabilities of the location server in a Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) based service are described. The SUPL Location Platform (SLP) transmits the service capabilities of the SLP, such as the positioning protocol capabilities of the SLP. The SLP transmits its capabilities of the SLP in an initiation message to the SUPL enabled terminal (SET) or after receiving an initiation message from the SET. The SET may transmit a positioning initiation message and the SLP and SET communicate to determinate one or more position estimates for the SET. The SET may include in the positioning initiation message a positioning protocol positioning message that is consistent with the SLP service capabilities.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed for providing notification at an automotive head unit (AHU) of a vehicle that a pre-paired consumer electronics device (CED), such as a wireless communication device, is outside a vehicle. When it is determined that the pre-paired CED is not connected to a wireless communication interface of the AHU, a notification can be provided to the AHU indicating that the pre-paired CED is not connected. Positional data from a location message, provided from the pre-paired CED, can then be processed to generate location data and provide the location data to the AHU.

Abstract: iAlert_Enhanced_Alert_Manager enables a user to register an interest in their current location, as well as persons, places and/or things in which the user holds some regard. The iAlert_Enhanced_Alert_Manager provides notification and clarifying information to user's devices concerning events/happenstance that have occurred or are likely to occur within a proximity of registered persons, places, and/or things. The iAlert_Enhanced_Alert_Manager comprises data structures (e.g. an Affinity Table, a SPIN table, a SPIN-List Table, an Affinity-List Table, and a Keyword-List Table) to manage affinities, Spheres of Influence (SPINs), and relationships therebetween that may positively or negatively induce a person. Timely notification of events/happenstance to a user comprises the computation of iEvent-vectors and iAlert-vectors. An iEvent-vector contains fields pertaining to events/happenstance whereas an iAlert-vector comprises information pertaining to notifications.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for estimating a location of the terminal using multiple location estimating schemes. The apparatus and method may estimate the location of the terminal more accurately by controlling initial conditions for a plurality of location estimating units, for example, a start time for estimating locations, initial parameters for location estimating schemes, and the like.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing a telecommunications service by receiving a request for a telecommunications service from a wireless client, providing a local exchange point of presence to the wireless client in response to the request, and providing the telecommunications service to the wireless client through the local exchange point of presence. The local exchange point of presence may be based on the geographic location of the wireless client.

Abstract: Remote mobile device management is provided. a master user account is established based on a request from a master user and a request to associate a remote mobile device with the master user account is received. The remote mobile device is associated with the master user account and management information is received from the master user account that is associated with the remote mobile device including restriction activation information. An indication of movement is received when the remote mobile device is moving at a speed above a restriction threshold and the restriction or monitoring of at least one device capability of the remote mobile device is provided based on the restriction activation information and the indication of movement. An indication of deceleration is received when the remote mobile device has decelerated and the restoration of the at least one device capability is provided based on the indication of deceleration.

Abstract: Methods in a user equipment (UE) for enabling positioning of the UE in a radio communication network having a radio network node and a positioning node. The UE is served in a first cell controlled by the radio network node, and the UE knows or can obtain a system frame number of at least one cell. The UE receives, from the positioning node, a message having positioning assistance data, which includes information associated with the at least one cell for which the system frame number is known or can be obtained by the UE. The UE also performs a positioning measurement using the positioning assistance data and the system frame number of the at least one cell to enable positioning of the UE.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus that associates a location where a terminal uses communication or travel route in use of the communication, with a connection destination of the terminal. The apparatus includes a communication log analyzer that aggregates communication logs collected by network apparatuses that constitute the mobile network and analyzes it. The communication log analyzer estimates travel route of the terminal connected the network using: log information generated by a base station to be connected to the terminal at the time of starting the connection, log information generated by a base station to be connected to the terminal at the time of a handover of the connection, and log information generated by a base station connected to the terminal at the time of detaching the connection.

Abstract: A number-of-terminals estimation device has a unit to acquire location data; a unit to acquire location acquisition time information of second location data immediately preceding the first location data and third location data immediately following the first location data, from location data including the same identification information; a unit to calculate a feature amount of the first location data, based on at least two of the location acquisition time information of the first to third location data; a unit to acquire observation target location data including location acquisition time information after an observation start time and before an observation end time and including location information corresponding to observation area information; and a unit to estimate the number of terminals located in the observation area during the observation period, based on feature amounts of the observation target location data and the length of the observation period.

Abstract: A method for geo-location services is described. In one embodiment, the method includes tracking incidents that occur within a predetermined geographic area in relation to a subscription service, upon receiving a request for a list of incidents in relation to the predetermined geographic area, generating a notification comprising the requested list of incidents, and sending the notification to one or more subscribers within the predetermined geographic area.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a movement information processing method and system, a user equipment, and an access network device. In one embodiment, a UE measures a characteristic parameter of a cell to be measured, and then obtains movement information of the UE according to a change of the characteristic parameter within a predetermined time. In this way, the UE can send the movement information to an access network device and the access network device executes a movement-related operation according to the movement information.

Abstract: Enhancements of and to cell phone operations are based in whole or in part on determining the location of the cell phone. Systems and methods select and determine locations or areas of importance or relevance, and based on that information and other programmed factors affect or alter the operations of the cell phone. While the systems and methods are illustrated by use of cell phone embodiments and applications, they are equally applicable to virtually any portable or mobile communication device, including for example, wireless laptop computers and PDAs.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for controlling place recognition are provided. The method includes collecting at least one of state information about a mobile terminal and user information stored in the mobile terminal, determining whether a current place of the mobile terminal is a major place that the user has previously visited at least a number of times using the collected information, determining, if it is determined that the current place of the mobile terminal is a major place, whether the current place has been registered using at least one signal received externally, and outputting a result of the determination as to whether the current place has been registered.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user as well as voice mail messages from other users and selectively transmitted selected ones of these files to the remote listener, or to the voice mail system of a remote user. Voice mail messages are composed, stored, transmitted, forwarded and reviewed using a voice mail system without ringing the remote party's telephone, much as email is composed, stored, transmitted and reviewed using an email server.

Abstract: Efficient processing and/or routing of emergency calls in an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) for VoIP (Voice over IP) subscribers can be enabled. In one aspect, an E911 profile is generated, for example, by an application server, for each VoIP subscriber based in part on current location information associated with the subscriber, such as, the subscriber's IP address. The E911 profile is pushed to the HSS (Home Subscriber Server) of the IMS. The E911 profile can then be stored in the HSS and can be queried by an E-CSCF (Emergency Call Session Control Function) during emergency call processing. Moreover, when an emergency call is received from the subscriber, the E-CSCF can retrieve the E911 profile associated with the subscriber from the HSS and route the call to an appropriate PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) based on an analysis of the information in the E911 profile.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments pertain to the obtaining and utilization of Observed Time Difference of Arrival (OTDOA) assistance data. Cell timing information obtained based on measurements by a Mobile Station (MS) of neighbor cells may comprise cell timing offsets of the neighbor cells relative to a serving cell for the MS. OTDOA assistance data may be generated, where the OTDOA assistance data may comprise an OTDOA assistance data reference cell and a cell timing offset between the serving cell and an OTDOA assistance data reference cell, the reference cell being selected based on the received neighbor cell measurements. Embodiments disclosed also pertain to methods on an MS for performing measurements of neighbor cells comprising cell timing information for neighbor cells by requesting idle periods with a desired length from a base station to perform the measurements, and performing the requested measurements upon receiving confirmation that the idle periods have been configured.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for using a location fingerprint database to determine a location of a mobile device are described. A mobile device can use location fingerprint data received from a server to determine a location of the mobile device at the venue. The mobile device can obtain, from a sensor of the mobile device, a vector of sensor readings, each sensor reading can measure an environment variable, e.g., a signal received by the sensor from a signal source. The mobile device can perform a statistical match between the vector and the location fingerprint data. The mobile device can then estimate a current location of the mobile device based on the statistical match.

Abstract: The disclosed implementations provide a system and method of predicting routes for mobile devices using wireless networks, including generating and sending content to a mobile device that is travelling on a predetermined route (e.g., a bus route determined by a transportation agency). The mobile device can scan for a wireless network that is installed on a vehicle travelling on a predetermined route. The system can predict which predetermined route the mobile device is travelling on by accessing a database that associates wireless networks with transportation vehicles. The system can confirm whether the mobile device is travelling on a predetermined route based on the device's sensor measurements, timestamps collected over a period of time and the identity of the wireless network that is connected to the device. The system can send content to the mobile device based on the mobile device's location and predicted future locations along the predetermined route.