Abstract: A method in a mobile terminal for estimating a position of the mobile terminal includes: receiving an expected measurement map indicative of an expected measurement of a parameter by the mobile terminal; receiving parameters of a matrix corresponding to the expected measurement map; capturing, by the mobile terminal, actual measurements of the parameter for a plurality of communication devices; and utilizing the received parameters and actual measurements to estimate the position of the mobile terminal, where each of the actual measurements and the expected measurement map comprise values indicative of a delay in a communication path between the mobile terminal and one or more of the plurality of communication devices.

Abstract: A method for controlling wireless communication terminals based on location areas is disclosed, including: a wireless communication terminal obtaining its own current location information (101); using a service and function control table to deactivate services and functions that need to be restricted according to the obtained location information, and storing the location information and the deactivated services and functions (102); the wireless communication terminal re-obtaining the location information, activating restriction-cancelled services and functions or deactivating restricted services and functions according to the re-obtained location information, the stored location information and/or the deactivated services and functions; a device for controlling wireless communication terminals based on location areas is also disclosed, and the method and device can be used to control all the services and functions of the wireless communication terminal at the terminal side, so that controlling the wireless c

Abstract: Equipment information including an installation height, which is an elevation, is stored as equipment information in an equipment management DB as location information for the location wherein an applicable piece of equipment is installed, and in a terminal device, the equipment information for the applicable equipment is acquired from the equipment management DB by a location information displaying unit in response to a display request operation, and a differential height, acquired through subtracting the current height, detected by a height detecting unit, from the installation height of the equipment, included in the equipment information that was acquired, is displayed on the screen of a screen displaying unit.

Abstract: A technique to allow a server such as a location server to throttle concurrent or closely timed location requests for the position of a given wireless device such that within a certain time period preferably only one location request will be initiated to the positioning engine and the remaining closely-timed location requests will be buffered or cached. When a position for the given wireless device is returned per the outstanding location request, then the retrieved position will be used to respond to each of the buffered location requests. Thus, a plurality of location requests are satisfied with a single request to the positioning engine. By optimizing the use of cached position requests, throttling of location requests per the invention reduces network traffic significantly, increases the efficiency of a positioning server (therefore reducing business cost), and provides for an improved grade or quality of location based services in general.

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: One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system and/or method for monitoring a position of a mobile device and pausing play or recording a multimedia presentation when the mobile device enters or approaches a zone where a wireless signal may be degraded or lost. In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize a global position system (GPS) signal to determine the location of the mobile device. Further, the mobile device may be configured to display one or more multimedia presentations and may, in response to the mobile device being located near or within a dark zone, pause play of the multimedia presentation until the mobile device returns to a zone of sufficient wireless signal coverage. In this manner, the mobile device may prevent the user from losing or missing portions of the multimedia presentation due to lost or degraded wireless signal of the mobile device.

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: 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 present location of a user is periodically determined. The present location of the user is compared to a previous location of the user. A determination is made as to whether the present location is within a specified distance of the previous location. If the present location is within the specified distance of the previous location, a determination is made as to whether the user has been at the present location for a specified time period. If the user has been at the present location for the specified time period, the present location is stored in a location database.

Abstract: A position coordinate receiving section obtains a position from a user terminal. A nearby user distributing section provides information about a source user terminal to a recipient user terminal. The nearby user distributing section controls whether or not to provide the information about the source user terminal to the recipient user terminal based on a position that is obtained from the recipient user terminal and a position obtained from the source user terminal. The position obtained from the source user terminal that is used in the control is a position outside an area set by a user of the source user terminal. Accordingly, a user is provided a way to prevent other users from knowing that the user is in a place specified by the user.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for supporting geographical-based services in a communications system. In an embodiment of the invention, a terminal node (e.g., a wireless terminal) inserts geographical information into a header portion of an IPv6 datagram. The serving network utilizes the geographical information to support a geographical-based service. In another embodiment, a terminal node, which is located in a geographical area, receives service configuration information regarding service regions from a serving network and determines what services are supported in the geographical area. In an embodiment, header formats for the inserted geographical information in a propagated signal between a terminal node and a serving network are provided.

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: The disclosure provides devices, systems, and methods for determining a position of a mobile communication device by communicating with the device via a Short Messaging System (SMS). A location query is submitted to an SMS center, which formats a first SMS message for delivery to the device. The first SMS message is delivered to a designated SMS port on the device. A location logic on the device receives the SMS via the SMS port, extracts the location query, and attempts to calculate a location from received satellite signals. The calculated location is submitted back to the SMS server, either to be forwarded to the location server, or to a network element or device that submitted the location query to the SMS center in the first place. Assistance data may additionally be delivered to the mobile communication device via the SMS port.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method of allowing a mobile terminal to measure its own location. The measurement method may include receiving a temporary identifier from a neighbor terminal using near field wireless communication; transmitting a location information request to a base station using the temporary identifier when location information is required; and receiving location information from the base station. The location information may be measured by the neighbor terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for energy efficient location sensing of a mobile device, said apparatus comprising: An orientation sensing module for sensing the orientation of said mobile device; one or more location sensing modules for sensing the location of said mobile device, a control module for controlling said orientation sensing module such that it repeatedly senses the orientation of said mobile device, wherein said control module controls said one or more location sensing modules such that at least one of said one or more location sensing modules is switched on if said sensed orientation indicates an orientation change of said mobile device, wherein the frequency with which said orientation sensing module senses the orientation of said mobile device is changed depending on the time in accordance with the behaviour pattern of the user of said mobile device such that at a time where the behaviour pattern corresponds to a lower activity the sampling frequency is lower and at a time where the behaviour pattern correspon

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: Techniques are provided which may be implemented in various methods, apparatuses, and/or articles of manufacture for use by a device that is operable in a plurality of modes, including “higher power mode” and a “lower power mode”. A timing circuit may be set based, at least in part, on a phase value obtained from a signal from a ground-based transmitter, and operation of the device may be selectively transitioned to a lower power mode wherein the device uses the timing circuit. In certain example implementations, operation of the device to the lower power mode may be selectively transition and based, at least in part, on a determination that one or more attribute values satisfy a profile test indicating that the electronic device is likely to be within a characterized environment, and/or a determination that the electronic device is likely to be in a constrained motion state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling access to a particular functionality of a wireless communication device are described. For example, a device can include a memory and a processor that is operatively coupled to the memory. The processor can be configured to display a list of entities that have applications installed on the device that can access a particular functionality of the device; display, for each entity, a complete list of applications associated with the corresponding entity and installed on the device, wherein each of the listed applications can access the particular functionality of the device; and provide a respective graphical switch for each entity and by which access is denied to the particular functionality of the device to all of the listed applications associated with the corresponding entity.

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: This method for locating a terminal (12) in a zone, said method comprising: a step (28, 29) of setting the spatial coordinates of the terminal (12), carried out within a geolocation software (16) of the terminal (12); a step (34) of measuring the displacement of the terminal (12) by autonomous means for measuring a displacement (20, 21) which are integrated into the terminal (12); a step (36) of estimating the spatial coordinates, carried out by the geolocation software (16) on the basis of the displacement transmitted by the autonomous means for measuring a displacement (20, 21); a step (30) of displaying the geographical position of the terminal (12) by display means (24) integrated into the terminal (12); is characterised in that it comprises: a step (29) of transmission by a location data support (13) installed permanently on site in the zone, of its geographical position to the terminal (12); and a step (41) of resetting the spatial coordinates of the terminal (12), carried out within the geolocation

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment, a method of adjusting for digital automatic gain control (DAGC) quantization error in a mobile station is as follows. A first DAGC value is stored before reception of one or more enhanced pilot signals. A second DAGC value is computed during reception of the one or more enhanced pilot signal. The first DAGC value is restored after reception of the one or more enhanced pilot signals is over. An advantage associated with this particular embodiment may include reduction in quantization error for digital automatic gain control.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products obtain power information indicating a detected power of respective signals received in a mobile device from multiple transmitters. Using at least the obtained power information, respective probability values for a plurality of positions are determined, each probability value indicating a probability that the mobile device is in a corresponding position. An estimated position of the mobile device is identified based at least in part on the determined probability values.

Abstract: A wireless device is communicated with using a first throughput. A predicted location for the wireless device is determined. Based on the predicted location, a predicted maximum throughput at the predicted location is determined. Based on the predicted maximum throughput, a second throughput is determined. The wireless device is communicated with using the second throughput.

Abstract: In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a first telephone device and at a second telephone device, a request to accept a telephone call. The method further includes obtaining information that indicates a first current geographic location of the first telephone device or the associated first user based on the second telephone device or an associated second user being a member of a group of call recipients that are permitted to receive the information that indicates the first current geographic location. The method additionally includes, using the obtained information, providing a representation of the first current geographic location of the first telephone device on the second telephone device in association with the telephone call from the first telephone device.

Abstract: A method is for WLAN localization and corresponding location based service supply. By providing a WLAN data set as an actual WLAN fingerprint of a geographical unit for the usage in a mobile device the user is enabled to localize himself self-sustained. Thereby the mobile device receives WLAN signals from at least three WLAN senders for the localization. Due to self-sustained identifying of the WLAN senders by the mobile device on basis of the received WLAN signals the mobile device may calculate the actual geographical position of the mobile device. The calculation is done on basis of the WLAN data set and on basis of the received WLAN signals from the at least three different WLAN senders. Furthermore a location based service is supplied by the mobile device the a user of the mobile device on basis of the calculated actual position.

Abstract: An extracting unit detects movement from a first area to a second area, the first area and the second area defined as areas having different priorities. When the extracting unit detects the movement, this changes a communication process defined in the first area to the communication process defined in the second area. A notifying unit notifies that the area changed when the movement is detected. Herein, the priority of the first area and the priority of the second area are defined according to importance of a signal, which should be broadcasted from a processing unit.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to detect when a radio access point device in a wireless cellular communication network is operating at a location other than its expected location. Roaming history data is obtained for wireless user devices in a wireless cellular communication network with respect to base transceiver stations each configured to serve a corresponding coverage area at a fixed known location and with respect to radio access point devices each configured to serve a corresponding relatively smaller coverage area in the wireless cellular communication network than a macro base transceiver station. Radio access point devices are also readily movable from one location to another location. The roaming history data of wireless user devices is analyzed against expected locations of radio access point devices to determine when a radio access point device is operating at a location other than its expected location.

Abstract: The functionality of smartphone applications may be extended to a basic phone, i.e., a phone lacking a particular smartphone capability, by providing a data synthesizer in the basic phone that synthesizers required data points. The data synthesizer may communicate with nearby smartphones to collect relevant data points such as location or motion data. Data points for the basic phone may be calculated from the collected data points. When an application on the basic phone requests data, a data provider proxy may retrieve a synthesized data point from the data synthesizer. In one example, a basic phone without a GPS or similar location module may execute a mapping application by averaging location data from nearby smartphones.

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 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: 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 method and system for providing location-based information to a group of mobile user agents. A group of mobile user agents may be identified based at least in part on agent information for each of the mobile user agents in the group. The location information may indicate a location for the mobile user agents, which may be determined using GPS information or GPS assistance information. Location-based information may be determined for the group and provided to the group by broadcasting or multicasting. The mobile user agents may be configured to receive and process the location-based information. The location-based information may comprise GPS assistance information.

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: Techniques for supporting location-based services (LBS) by a removable module are described. A set of messages (e.g., commands and events) may be defined to support location-based services by the removable module. In one design, the removable module may send a first message (e.g., a Get Position—Request message) to a terminal to request for location information. The first message may be sent for an LBS application running on the removable module. The removable module may thereafter receive a second message (e.g., a Get Position—Response message) with the requested location information from the terminal. The removable module may execute a task for the LBS application based on the location information. The task may include reporting the location of the terminal, initiating a voice call, sending an SMS message, displaying a menu on the terminal, sending a report for tracking of the terminal, etc.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes a radiofrequency transceiver having a wireless voice channel for transmitting and receiving voice communications and a separate wireless data channel for concurrently transmitting and receiving other data. The wireless communications device also includes a memory operatively connected to a processor for processing current location data received over the data channel from another communications device with which the wireless communications device is simultaneously communicating on the voice channel. The wireless communications further includes a display for displaying a phone screen during a voice call, the phone screen presenting call-related information. A map is displayed on the phone screen during the voice call, the map presenting a location current of the other communications device based on the current location data received over the data channel. Optionally, the map can also show the current location of the wireless communications device.

Abstract: Examples disclosed herein may relate to transmitting almanac information associated with a subset of wireless transmitters to a mobile station. The subset of wireless transmitters may be determined, at least in part, by determining expected contributions of one or more wireless transmitters to a future navigation operation for the mobile station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing advertisement on a mobile communication device is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a primary keyword and at least one secondary keyword are identified in a list or a body of text at the mobile communication device. A compound keyword is formed from the primary keyword and the at least one secondary keyword. At least one advertising resource link is associated with the formed compound keyword, and the formed compound keyword is visually distinguished.

Abstract: Methods, program products, and systems for location determination using cached location area codes are described. A mobile device can store a set of location area codes (LACs) of a cellular communications network on the mobile device. Each LAC can represent a location area of the cellular communications network that encompasses at least a predetermined number of cells. Each LAC can be further associated with an estimated geographic area. The estimated geographic area can be defined as a circle centered at a location and having a radius representing an uncertainty of the location. The mobile device can determine a current LAC of the mobile device based on a wirelessly received signal. The mobile device can determine a current location of the mobile device by performing a lookup in the stored set of LACs using the current LAC.

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: 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: Systems, methods, and devices for determining the geospatial position/location of a mobile device by using transmissions from surrounding wireless utility meters and prior knowledge of the locations of the surrounding meters. A mobile device may receive transmissions from a plurality of wireless utility meters, and determine signal strengths and meter identifiers of each of the plurality of wireless utility meters from the received transmissions. The signal strengths and meter identifiers may be compared to data records stored in a wireless utility meter signal signature database to identify a best match data record, which may include geographic coordinates that may be used by the mobile device to determine its current geospatial position and/or location.

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 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: An apparatus and a method for automatically transmitting an emoticon during video communication in a mobile communication terminal are provided. In operation, location information is received during video communication, and data corresponding to the received location information is searched for from a memory. Image data captured by a camera and the searched data are synthesized and transmitted to a counterpart terminal.

Abstract: A method for modifying a signal transmitted from a mobile communication device comprising by perturbing a transmit diversity parameter from its nominal value by modulating the parameter with respect to the nominal value in a first direction for a first feedback interval and then in a second direction for a second feedback interval, receiving a feedback signal including feedback information relating to the perturbed signal as received at a feedback device, and based at least on the feedback information, adjusting the nominal value of the transmit diversity parameter by increasing, decreasing, or preserving the nominal value.

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 self learning roaming optimization approach allows a wireless client device to build signal strength maps that store wireless network access point signal strengths at locations along paths traveled by the wireless client device within an operational environment. The signal strengths collected at locations along a path may be analyzed to determine a recommended wireless network access point at the respective locations to achieve a reliable wireless network connection along the mapped path. The stored recommendations may take into account changes in wireless network access point signal strengths, e.g. due to obstructions and/or electromagnetic shields that may block portions of a wireless network access point signal at subsequent locations along the mapped path.

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: A method and a system for maintaining session continuity, in which the system includes a Handover Source Function (HOSF), a Handover Destination Function (HODF), a Handover Anchor Function-Control Plane (HOAF-CP) and a Handover Anchor Function-User Plane (HOAF-UP). The method includes a first user establishing a connection through the HOSF with the HOAF-CP and the HOAF-UP which correspond to a second user, so as to establish a session with the second user. The method further includes that, during session handover, the HODF that corresponds to the HOSF establishing another connection with the HOAF-CP and HOAF-UP though which the first user continues the session with the second user, so as to maintain the session continuity. When access address or access technology of the terminal changes, or even the terminal changes during a session, the method and the system can logically replace the connection before the handover with a new connection to ensure the session continuity.

Abstract: A device and method provide a user with a template for a message having fields that can be pre-filled with data to reduce the manual entry of data into the message. The method includes, but is not limited to, executing an application at a device, wherein context data including context data items is associated with the executing application, selecting a messaging technology to send a message from the device, selecting a template for the message, wherein the template comprises one or more dynamic fields, selecting a context data item from the context data associated with the executing application, and inserting the selected context data item in the dynamic field to facilitate the creation of a message.