Abstract: A system, method, and User Equipment, UE, for providing a current LTE cell location to a Generic Radio Access Network Controller, GANG, based on different triggers depending on the UE state. The GANC ensures that the correct GANG is serving the UE, and also maps the LTE cell location to an associated GAN Cell Global Identifier, GAN-CGI. The GANG provides the GAN-CGI to a Mobile Switching Center, MSC, or other serving core network node to support location-based services and other mobile originated or mobile terminated calls and transactions.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing geographical location information among a set of wireless telecommunication devices, such as mobile telephones. A first wireless telecommunication device generates geographical location information of that wireless telecommunication device, either through a resident device such as a GPS device, or has another computer device on the network provide the geographic location information, and then shares the geographical location information through sending the location information to one or more servers for relay to a predesignated target set of wireless telecommunication devices. The server stores the identity of member devices of the target set and controls communication between the first wireless telecommunications device and the member devices of the target set. A second server can be used to modify the geographical information, such as providing a map showing the location of the first wireless telecommunication device and other member devices of the target set.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for location determination using cached location area codes are described. A server computer can receive location information from location-aware mobile devices (e.g., GPS-enabled devices) located in a location area of a cellular communications network. The server computer can also receive from the mobile device the location area code associated with the location area in which the mobile devices are located. The server computer can estimate a coarse geographic location of the location area, as well as a number of cells encompassed by the location area using the received information. The server computer can store the estimated geographic locations associated with sufficiently large location areas (e.g., location areas having more than a certain number of cells). The server computer can provide the stored geographic locations to second mobile devices that are not GPS-enabled for estimating current locations of the second mobile devices.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for processing readily available radio network, timing and power information about cellular networks and typical measurements made by the mobile device and network. A probabilistic method is disclosed that uses both time (i.e., range) and power differences with known downlink transmitter antenna characteristics to locate mobiles with accuracy better than cell-ID with ranging, with high capacity, and without the need for field calibration.

Abstract: A system is described for monitoring the geographical location of a subscriber's mobile cellular telephone, and for providing the location information to an authorized user through the world wide web. The geographical location of the subscriber's mobile cellular telephone is tracked using registration signals transmitted over the control channel by the cellular telephone. This information is supplied to a geographical location coordinator system, which determines the geographical coordinates for the cellular telephone. A database stores the geographical location information along with a subscriber's telephone number and account code. The database is updated to track the movement of the cellular telephone user across a geographical area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying a location based at least in part on identifying a wireless access point and at least one service set identifier associated with the wireless access point.

Abstract: Various aspects of this disclosure are directed to receiving, with a first computing device, an incoming communication. The first computing device may determine that a user has not an taken action with the first computing device with respect to the incoming communication. The first computing device may further identify a second device determined to be physically proximate to the first computing device, and may send an outgoing communication, based at least on the received incoming communication, to the identified second device.

Abstract: An Aggregate Location Dynometer (ALD) in a physical wireless network alerts to a problematic crowd risk using location based services (LBS). An Aggregate Location Dynometer (ALD) comprises a Network Monitor, a Crowd Risk Determinant and an Alert Module. The Network Monitor monitors wireless traffic for a potential viral event, associated with a formation of a plurality of wireless devices. The Crowd Risk Determinant requests location information associated with a plurality of wireless devices in a given area regarding a respective viral event. The Crowd Risk Determinant determines if the viral event also indicates a crowd safety risk, based on the shape and movement of observed wireless devices. The Alert Module triggers an alert of an impending crowd problem when crowd risk is above a given threshold. Historical databases are empirically determined and maintained in the Aggregate Location Dynometer (ALD) for use in viral event and crowd risk assessment.

Abstract: An augmented reality (AR) service apparatus includes a camera to capture an actual image, a controller to receive feature point information about the captured image from at least one of a plurality of base stations (BSs), detect a location of the camera by matching data of feature points with data of the image, and provide location-based information in a same direction as the captured image according to the location of the camera, and a display to realize an AR service by combining the captured image with the location-based information under control of the controller.

Abstract: An indoor localization system for locating an electronic mobile device within an indoor environment is provided. The indoor localization system includes a plurality of transmitting nodes arranged in different positions within the indoor environment and configured to transmit RF signals. An electronic mobile device is configured to receive the RF signals from the transmitting nodes. The indoor localization system is configured to operate in a training mode, wherein reference quantities are computed based on powers of the RF signals received from the transmitting nodes in different reference positions within the indoor environment.

Abstract: A tracking unit operably coupled to mobile equipment is provided. The tracking unit is capable of using a pilot channel for CDMA networks, a broadcast channel for GSM networks or the like, to determine that the tracking unit has remained relatively stationary. The tracking unit determines it has remained relatively stationary by determining that it is receiving the same radio frequency signals at approximately the same strength as it previously received.

Abstract: A wireless communication system includes a mobile terminal and a wireless base station that transmits to the mobile terminal notification information that is used for establishing a call between the mobile terminal and the wireless base station. The mobile terminal transmits identification information of predetermined notification information to the wireless base station. The wireless base station compares the identification information that was transmitted in from the mobile terminal and the identification information of the notification information of the current transmission, and based on the result of the comparison, transmits to the mobile terminal information for acquiring the notification information of the current transmission.

Abstract: In order to provide wireless service to wireless communication devices (WCDs) at different altitudes (e.g., on different levels of a high-rise structure), a radio access network (RAN) may include antennas aimed to direct coverage at different heights. The RAN may advertise the presence of wireless coverage areas that provide elevated coverage primarily to the WCDs above a threshold altitude. Similarly, the RAN may advertise the presence of wireless coverage areas that provide ground floor coverage primarily to WCDs below the threshold altitude. In this way, when a WCD is handed off to a new wireless coverage area, that wireless coverage area may be suited to provide coverage at the WCD's altitude.

Abstract: A mobile device receives signals from base stations each with multiple distributed transceivers. Each distributed transceiver may operate at different carrier frequencies. Each distributed transceiver is equipped with an independently configurable antenna array handling transmissions of the radio frequency signals to the mobile device. The mobile device generates channel measurements for the received signals, and subsequently receives a position estimate from a remote location server. The location server determines corresponding transmit diversity configurations applied to the base stations for conducting the channel measurements for the mobile device, and channel measurements at scanned locations in a location scanning region. The location server selects and utilize a signature function to calculate the position estimate for the mobile device over the transmit diversity configurations.

Abstract: To determine the location of a querying mobile device, a request is received from the querying mobile device via a communication network. One or several participating mobile devices that potentially are physically proximate to the querying mobile device are identified. A request to scan for a location broadcast message transmitted by the querying mobile device is sent to the participating mobile devices. One or more location broadcast reports from participating mobile devices are received, where each received location broadcast report indicates that the location broadcast message was received at the corresponding participating mobile device. The location of the querying mobile device is estimated based on (i) the received one or more location broadcast reports and (ii) respective locations of the participating mobile devices from which the one or more location broadcast reports were received.

Abstract: A communication system (100) comprises a plurality of mobile stations (118, 124) each operable to communicate with other communication stations by a wireless link of a first kind, at least one location indicator (116) operable to detect by a wireless link of a second kind a location of at least one (118) of the mobile stations when the at least one mobile station is within a communication range of the location indicator, at least one proxy location server (110) operably coupled to at least one associated location indicator (116), and a location server (108) operable to communicate with the at least one proxy location server to receive a notification of the location of the at least one mobile station (118) when detected to be within communication range of the associated location indicator (116).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to determining location of mobile devices based on signals and/or location history information received from other mobile devices are described. In various embodiments mobile devices monitor signals from other devices. Mobile devices store signal measurement information along with time stamp information and information identifying the device from which a measured signal was received. In various embodiments a mobile communications device which determines its location with reasonable accuracy, e.g., to within a predetermined distance or some other accuracy metric, transmits location history information indicating one or more past locations, and optionally the device's current location, and the times it was at the indicated locations. Reliability information is communicated with the time and location information in some embodiments.

Abstract: A method of determining location of a mobile device including estimating an absolute location using long range communication estimates, estimating a relative location based on shorter-range communications, receiving location information from a plurality of peer entities, and refining the absolute location and based on the received location information.

Abstract: Providing mobile device location as a proxy location for an access point in response to mobile device association with the access point, and related methods, devices, and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile device receives signals from a transmitter(s). Based on the received signals, the mobile device determines its current location. The mobile device also establishes an association with an access point device. In response to the association, the mobile device transmits to a location server an identification of the access point device and the current location of the mobile device as a proxy location for the access point device. In this manner, the location server may determine a location of the access point device while maintaining the privacy of user(s) of the mobile device(s). The location server may provide the access point device location to user device(s) to allow the user device(s) to determine its location.

Abstract: A location engine is disclosed that estimates the location of a wireless terminal using (i) cell ID, (ii) triangulation, (iii) GPS, (iv) RF pattern-matching, or (v) any combination of them. The location engine is adept at discounting the contribution of apparently reasonable but erroneous data. The location engine receives data that are evidence of the location of a wireless terminal at each of a plurality of different times. The location engine then generates an initial hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal at each time assuming that all of the data is correct and equally probative. Next, the location engine generates one alternative hypothesis for each initial hypothesis and each datum assuming that the datum is erroneous. Finally, the location engine generates the estimate for the location of the wireless terminal at each time by determining which combination of initial hypotheses and alternative hypothesis is the most self-consistent.

Abstract: A system is provided that includes: (a) a tracking module 140 operable to determine physical locations of subscribers and when a physical location of a selected subscriber has changed and (b) in response to a change in the physical location of the selected subscriber, a content provider 144 operable to select, from among a set of resource providers, a smaller set of resource providers of potential interest to the selected subscriber and provide to the selected subscriber's communication device resource provider content 134 associated with one or more members of the subset of resource providers.

Abstract: A location beacon database and server, method of building location beacon database, and location based service using same. Wi-Fi access points are located in a target geographical area to build a reference database of locations of Wi-Fi access points. At least one vehicle is deployed including at least one scanning device having a GPS device and a Wi-Fi radio device and including a Wi-Fi antenna system. The target area is traversed in a programmatic route to avoid arterial bias. The programmatic route includes substantially all drivable streets in the target geographical area and solves an Eulerian cycle problem of a graph represented by said drivable streets. While traversing the target area, periodically receive the GPS coordinates of the GPS device.

Abstract: A data expansion system that provides continuum of discrete wireless small cell coverage areas for mobile terminals includes a set of roadway reflectors configured to provide wireless broadband data services to a mobile terminal. Each reflector includes processing circuitry configured to establish communications between the mobile terminal and a backhaul network. Each reflector includes a wireless transceiver configured to transmit and receive data. Each reflector includes a power source that converts solar energy into electricity. Each reflector includes a housing configured to contain the processing circuitry, the transceiver, and the power source. The housing has a raised reflective surface.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that conducts positioning on the basis of received signal strength indications obtained from access points, includes, a contact information detector that detects contact information between the information processing apparatus and a dielectric body, a recording module that stores a gain table including gain data corresponding to obtained contact information, a gain data correcting unit that extracts the gain data corresponding to the contact information obtained by the contact information detector from the gain table of the recording module and corrects gain by using the extracted gain data, and a positioning module that conducts the positioning by using the gain obtained by the correcting unit and the received signal strength indications.

Abstract: Provided is a method and apparatus for reducing transmission of location information when tracking the geographic location of one or more mobile devices. A mobile device generates location information using GPS technology and provides the location information to a communication device on an ongoing basis. In a first embodiment, if the location information of the mobile device is not needed, then the communication device transmits a message indicating that the location information of the mobile device is not needed. Upon receiving the message, the mobile device stops providing location information to the communication device on the ongoing basis. This can reduce the amount of information that gets transferred over the air between users sharing their location information.

Abstract: A system in which a user controls the log-in, transaction, and log-out process with respect to a merchant. The user's presence at the merchant's facility triggers the log-in process, such that the merchant's systems become aware of the user's presence. Once the user is registered with the merchant, information and services become available to the user without further action required by the user. Transactions are facilitated, specials are brought to the user's attention, personal shopping becomes available while the user remains in the facility. Upon leaving the facility, or after a certain elapsed time with a transaction being consummated, the user is logged-out of the system.

Abstract: In general, techniques for using short range communication, such as near-field communication (NFC), to redirect the communication of a computing device to receive digital items selected at a kiosk may include receiving, by a computing device and from a kiosk computing device via a first communication pathway comprising short-range wireless communication, a device identifier associated with the kiosk computing device, wherein the kiosk computing device is operable to receive a selection of a digital item. The techniques may further include sending, by the computing device, a request for access to the digital item based at least in part on the device identifier associated with the kiosk computing device. The techniques may further include receiving, by the computing device via a second communication pathway, access to the digital item based at least in part on the device identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for minimizing potential security problems and battery power usage in a tracking device used in tracking an associated product while being transported along a route wherein wireless communication may be nonexistent or intermittent. This is accomplished in part by having an accessible database of signal quality and strength at a large plurality of locations along given transportation routes whereby adjustments can be made as to the times for the tracking device to obtain GPS location information as well as for times to report any location and or product status data to a remotely located central station. The ability to predict when, along a transportation route communication problems may occur provides the opportunity to notify appropriate authorities in advance of arriving at the communication gap zones whereby arrangements can be made to alleviate potential problems during transportation through wireless communication “gap or dead” zones.

Abstract: A direct downconversion receiver architecture having a DC loop to remove DC offset from the signal components, a digital variable gain amplifier (DVGA) to provide a range of gains, an automatic gain control (AGC) loop to provide gain control for the DVGA and RF/analog circuitry, and a serial bus interface (SBI) unit to provide controls for the RF/analog circuitry via a serial bus. The DVGA may be advantageously designed and located as described herein. The operating mode of the VGA loop may be selected based on the operating mode of the DC loop, since these two loops interact with one another. The duration of time the DC loop is operated in an acquisition mode may be selected to be inversely proportional to the DC loop bandwidth in the acquisition mode. The controls for some or all of the RF/analog circuitry may be provided via the serial bus.

Abstract: A method for wireless positioning is provided. The method for wireless positioning includes: acquiring synchronization with base stations; collecting a plurality of propagation delay taps for the base stations; determining a final propagation delay tap among the plurality of propagation delay taps; calculating a time difference of arrival (TDOA) value using the final propagation delay value; and deriving locations of the terminals using the calculated TDOA value. By this configuration, the positioning accuracy can be improved.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for determining a connection quality of a wireless device with a wireless communications network comprise a user manager operable to receive a plurality of communications messages as recorded by the wireless device, where the plurality of communications messages comprise messages transmitted from and received by the wireless device via the wireless communication network. Further, a connection quality module associated with the user manager is operable to generate a connection quality record comprising a connection quality characteristic based on a detection of a predetermined sequence of communications messages within the plurality of communications messages. Optionally, an optimization module may generate a configuration change for the wireless device and/or a network component based on the connection quality characteristic.

Abstract: Determining a geographic location of a cellular base station is disclosed. In some embodiments, a set of measurement data that includes for each of a plurality of signals received at the base station a corresponding measurement data is determined. The set of measurement data is used to determine the geographic location of the base station. In some embodiments, a set of measurement data is received. The received measurement data includes for each of a plurality of location measurement units at which a signal transmitted by the base station is received a corresponding measurement data associated with the signal. The set of measurement data is used to determine the geographic location of the base station.

Abstract: According to a disclosed method, an MME in a network analyzes KPIs from the cells it serves and based on the KPIs, it decides to engage in sharing. The MME then contacts a sharing entity (SE) to announce that it wants to borrow or to supply resources. The MME obtains terms of a sharing agreement from the SE and the MME obtains the identity of the other network. In response to this information, the MME configures its network elements to share. The MME's own network may be a supplier or a borrower. If the network is a supplier, the MME configures its base stations to support UEs subscribing to the other network. If the network is a borrower, the MME configures its UEs to accept service from the other network's base stations. The SE applies knowledge of network topology and of services offered. This knowledge is obtained from a sharing database. At the expiration of the sharing agreement, the SE tells the MMEs to deactivate the sharing agreement.

Abstract: A location engine is disclosed that estimates the location of a wireless terminal using (i) cell ID, (ii) triangulation, (iii) GPS, (iv) RF pattern-matching, or (v) any combination of them. The location engine is adept at discounting the contribution of apparently reasonable but erroneous data. The location engine receives data that are evidence of the location of a wireless terminal at each of a plurality of different times. The location engine then generates an initial hypothesis for the location of the wireless terminal at each time assuming that all of the data is correct and equally probative. Next, the location engine generates one alternative hypothesis for each initial hypothesis and each datum assuming that the datum is erroneous. Finally, the location engine generates the estimate for the location of the wireless terminal at each time by determining which combination of initial hypotheses and alternative hypothesis is the most self-consistent.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving location data for a plurality of mobile devices located in an area comprising a display screen, processing at a network device, the location data to generate location analytics for the area, the location analytics comprising dwell time for users of the mobile devices, and transmitting the location analytics to a content source operable to select content for display on the display screen based on the location analytics. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a mobile radio communication device is provided. The mobile radio communication device may include a mobile radio communication protocol circuit configured to provide a home base station function for a mobile radio communication with another mobile radio communication device, and a memory configured to store a home base station group data structure, wherein the home base station group data structure for each communication device associated with the home base station group comprises a home base station group member identifier to identify a mobile radio communication device as a member of the home base station group.

Abstract: Downlink signal strength measurements from base stations (BSs) are reported by mobile devices to facilitate mobile device locating. A system receives the signal strength information and determines whether the mobile device is within a selected distance from any of the BSs in response to detecting that signal strength information for one of the BSs is greater than a predefined value. The system determines an area over which to search for the mobile device if the system fails to detect that the signal strength information for any of the BSs is greater than the predefined value. The area over which the search is performed is an intersection of all regions determined by the signal strengths of the BSs.

Abstract: When a call is placed within a femtocell area of coverage, the location of the femtocell is used as the location of the mobile device. The location of the femtocell is stored in the network, and if the call is placed through the femtocell, the location of the femtocell is used to determine the location of the mobile device.

Abstract: Site location determination using crowd sourced propagation delay and location data is provided. A propagation delay component receives a set of propagation delay measurements for communications between a mobile device and an access point. A user equipment location component receives a location of the mobile device, and a combination component combines the set of propagation delay measurements and the location into a set of location data. An access point location component determines a set of intersecting locations between the set of location data and additional sets of location data, and determines a location of the access point based on the set of intersecting locations.

Abstract: A method for selecting a plurality of base stations to position a mobile device is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of base station sets from the plurality of base stations, wherein each of the plurality of base station sets corresponds to a distance matrix, utilizing a first artificial neural network (ANN) unit to select a predefined number of the plurality of base station sets from the plurality of base station sets according to a plurality of distance matrixes corresponding to the plurality of base station sets; and utilizing a second ANN unit to position the mobile device according to the predefined number of the plurality of base station sets.

Abstract: A method for automatic powering on and turning off of a communications device, comprising: defining a critical zone to be one of within or outside a range of a base station transceiver; sending a location message from one of the communications device and the base station transceiver; responding to the location message if the communications device is within the range; defining a location of the communications device to be within the range if the responding occurs; and triggering the communications device to one of powering on and turning off using the critical zone and the location of the communications device.

Abstract: A WLAN positioning system for calculating the geographic location of a mobile device minimizes the amount of data retrieved from a remote access point location server by dynamically switching between public fetching operations and private fetching operations in response to one or more parameters including, for example, whether the mobile device is in motion, the data retrieval history of the mobile device, and/or the capacity and utilization of local memory provided within the mobile device.

Abstract: Estimating a location of a mobile device is performed by comparing environmental information, such as environmental sound, associated with the mobile device with that of other devices to determine if the environmental information is similar enough to conclude that the mobile device is in a comparable location as another device. The devices may be in comparable locations in that they are in geographically similar locations (e.g., same store, same street, same city, etc.). The devices may be in comparable locations even though they are located in geographically dissimilar locations because the environmental information of the two locations demonstrates that the devices are in the same perceived location. With knowledge that the devices are in comparable locations, and with knowledge of the location of one of the devices, certain actions, such as targeted advertising, may be taken with respect to another device that is within a comparable location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for configuring a portable first cellular base station to operate in a digital cellular telecommunications network includes: placing the first cellular base station in the digital cellular telecommunications network; detecting with a radio receiver at least one second operating cellular base station within the digital cellular telecommunications network; demodulating a first transmission of the at least one second cellular base station transmitter to obtain a first data stream; predictively modifying the first data stream to create a modified first data stream; correlating at least one periodic portion of the modified first data stream to form an enhanced data signal; decoding the enhanced data signal to obtain information including at least the location area code for the at least one second operating cellular base station and a neighbor list of neighboring cellular base station scrambling codes; and configuring the first cellular base station to have the same scrambling code as one of

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for localizing a user indoors using a wireless local area network, and more particularly, a localization device and a localization method that improve localization accuracy by fusing various context information when localizing a user-portable/wearable device connected with a wireless network based on an RF-based wireless network such as ZigBee.

Abstract: A positioning system (e.g., GPS) integrated in, or coupled to, a mobile device determines the position of the mobile device. An availability status manager (ASM) in a vPBX acquires the position of the mobile device. The ASM can contain rules on how to route or otherwise control incoming phone calls based on availability status of one or more mobile devices in the vPBX network. When a call is received by the vPBX, the ASM determines the availability status of the receiving mobile device based on the geographic location of the receiving mobile device. The ASM then routes the call to the receiving mobile device, to another mobile device, or to a landline based on the availability status of the receiving mobile device and the availability status based rules.

Abstract: A first position (104) of the mobile client is determined at least in part by utilizing first signals received from at least one first signal source. The first signal source operates in a first location determination system (114). A second position (106) of at least one second signal source (120) is determined by utilizing both the determined first position of the mobile client and second signals received from the at least one second signal source (120). The second signal source (120) operates in a second location determination system. A third position (116) of the mobile client is determined utilizing the second signal source (120).

Abstract: GPS and A-GPS based positioning methods can be used to determine UE locations to enable location based services to be provided. However, if a UE does not have such receivers or the wireless network is not able to provide assistance, these methods will not be applicable. An alternative is to use OTDOA measurements using positioning reference signals transmitted by cells of the network. By optimizing the set of cells transmitting their positioning reference signals on different positioning occasions and properly configuring the muting patterns, interference can be minimized and the UE location can be readily determined.

Abstract: Techniques for configuring a Home evolved Node B (HeNB) in a location server and positioning the HeNB are disclosed. In one aspect, location for a HeNB is supported based on LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages. The HeNB communicates LPP messages with a location server. These LPP messages are terminated at the HeNB instead of a UE. At least one location transaction for the HeNB can be performed to configure in the location server and/or locate the HeNB based on the LPP messages. In another aspect, location for a HeNB is supported based on an embedded UE in the HeNB. The HeNB establishes a location session with a location server based on an embedded UE ID, which is assigned to the HeNB and recognized by the location server as being for a HeNB instead of a UE. At least one location transaction for the HeNB is performed during the location session.

Abstract: A system and method for registering or otherwise associating items with generated content. Identification of who and/or what is present in connection with the generation of content is determined. In one embodiment, images, video, audio, or other media/multimedia content is generated, and the items and/or people present and relevant to the creation of that content are determined. A record of those relevant items and/or people may then be associated with that created content, so that the content includes a record of who/what was there when the content was created.