Abstract: A positioning device includes; a receiving unit configured to receive wireless quality information indicating wireless quality between a mobile station and a base station and information indicating a direction and an orientation of the mobile station; a determining unit configured to acquire measuring data to be used for measuring a location of the mobile station based on the direction and the orientation, from data in which each of regions as location candidates of the mobile station is associated with respective wireless quality information; and a measuring unit configured to measure the location of the mobile station based on the wireless quality information and the measuring data.

Abstract: A tracking device is at a tracking device location, and a processing unit is at a home location. The processing unit receives a first signal associated with the target, determines positional data associated with the target, and transmits the positional data to the tracking device.

Abstract: Techniques for supporting location services in a user plane location architecture such as Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) are described. In an aspect, a terminal informs a location server of service capabilities of the terminal. The location server uses the service capabilities to request only location services supported by the terminal and to avoid requesting unsupported location services. The terminal generates a message containing its service capabilities and sends the message via a user plane, e.g., SUPL. The location server receives the message, obtains the service capabilities of the terminal, and stores these service capabilities for future network-initiated location sessions with the terminal. The location server determines whether a location service is supported by the terminal based on the service capabilities of the terminal. The location server communicates with the terminal via the user plane for the location service if supported by the terminal.

Abstract: Displaying a map on a wireless communications device includes steps of obtaining map data for rendering the map to be displayed on the wireless communications device, determining a rotation that, when applied to the map, will orient a selected path in a selected direction, such as a current direction of travel, generating a corrected rotation by applying a spherical correction factor, e.g. based on a current location, and rendering the map on a display of the wireless communications device by applying the corrected rotation. The spherical correction factor corrects for map distortions that occur at high latitudes for paths that are neither purely north-south or east-west. When such a path is rotated to face upward to show direction of travel, the path needs to be straightened by applying the spherical correction factor.

Abstract: A wireless interface disposed in a vehicle monitors a network for signals transmitted by cellular towers. The signals include a first system identification signal transmitted from a first cellular tower. A computer processing device is communicatively coupled to the wireless interface and includes logic configured to receive the first system identification signal in response to the monitoring. The first system identification signal corresponds to a first system identification. The logic is also configured to retrieve a table of system identifications including the first system identification from a storage device. Each of the system identifications is mapped to a corresponding geographic location in which each of the cellular towers is disposed and a corresponding measurement system utilized in the geographic location.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an indoor map representation are provided herein. Aspects of this disclosure provide a representation of an indoor map environment whereby navigable areas are represented by a series of convex polygons in adjacency relationships with one another. Image analysis may be performed on a floor plan image to identify navigable areas and to determine the boundaries of the polygons, such as by assigning one or more colors to navigable space and one or more colors to non-navigable space. Route-finding operations may be performed using the adjacency relationships to find a path from a source area to a destination area.

Abstract: A method of setting an initial location of a user terminal via an interaction with a user and a user terminal is provided. The method includes measuring a magnetic field at a current location of the user terminal, and estimating a candidate initial location of the user terminal based on the magnetic field. The method further includes displaying the candidate initial location, and selecting the candidate initial location. The method further includes setting the initial location based on the selection.

Abstract: A communications device receives a broadcast wireless communication transmission from a sender to initiate communication with the device. The received transmission includes the sender's identification, location information and other information about the transmission. The device maps relative locations of the sender and the device on a display of the device. The device also looks up a profile about the sender at a remote resource and updates the information about the sender. The device responds to the received transmissions by a broadcasting wireless communication transmission under certain situations. The remote resource may inform the sender of the profile lookup by the sender and provides the sender with the device's identification and location information.

Abstract: A location reporting paging communication system comprising space satellites, ground stations and a remote receiving unit adapted to resolve a global position from signals transmitted from a communication transmitter. The subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit updates the paging network with global positioning information. A caller paging a subscriber in possession of the remote receiving unit may request the global location of the remote receiving unit. The paging network could divulge or block such information from a caller depending on the requirements of the subscriber.

Abstract: Wireless terminals are provided that comprise, for example, a wireless signal receiving portion that receives a wireless signal transmitted from a base station; a measurement portion that performs signal intensity measurement of the wireless signal; and an information transmitting portion that transmits pieces of measurement information acquired by the signal intensity measurement, and at least one piece of base station identification information that indicates a base station of a transmission source of the wireless signal and that is associated with each of the pieces of measurement information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated publishing of customized presence information to one or more mobile devices in a wireless communication network is provided. The method comprises obtaining (202) location data of a mobile device. Further, the method comprises determining (204) availability of a customized presence tag related to the location data of the mobile device. A customized presence tag includes personalized data associated with a location of a mobile device. The method further comprises publishing (206) the customized presence tag related to the location data of the mobile device, when the customized presence tag is determined to be available for the location data. Moreover, the method comprises publishing (208) a default presence tag for the location data when a customized presence tag for the location data is determined to be unavailable. The publishing of one or more of the customized presence tag and the default presence tag is performed automatically.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with wireless devices to be connected with the mobile terminal, a display unit configured to display information about the wireless devices, an input unit configured to input search information including at least one of a distance range to search for the wireless devices and a type of the wireless devices, and a controller configured to control the wireless communication unit to search for the wireless devices based on the input search information and to control the display unit to display responding wireless devices that responded to the search by the wireless communication unit according to the input search information.

Abstract: An approach is provided for customizing map presentations based on mode of transport. A map customizing platform determines a mode of transport with respect to a mapping service. The map customizing platform then selects one or more characteristics for rendering a map display of the mapping service based, at least in part, on the mode of transport and causes, at least in part, rendering of the map display based, at least in part, on the characteristics.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for determining the geographic location associated with events depicted in media. The geographic locations can be provided by creators of the media, or by users who view the media. The geographic locations can then be stored in a database on a server. A determination can be made as to whether the geographic locations are within a predefined distance of the geographic location of a wireless device. A set of events located within the predefined distance can be presented to a user of the wireless device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting a message and/or a location request to individuals identified on an emergency contact list. In some arrangements, a message and/or location request may be transmitted from a first mobile device to a plurality of other mobile devices associated with individuals identified in the emergency contact list. The location of each mobile device is determined and transmitted to the first mobile device where the location information is stored and may be displayed, for instance, on a map. The systems and methods described herein may be independent of any technical infrastructure associated with the organization or business maintaining the emergency contact list. That is, a company may generally rely on systems independent of their own, such as public cellular networks, and the like, for operation of the systems and methods described herein.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may be localized in an indoor area based on the strength of wireless network signals accessible in the indoor area from different access points. For efficiency, the localization may be performed in stages. In a first stage, a general geographic area, such as an “island” as will be described below, in which the mobile device is located is identified. In a second stage, an altitude or building level of the mobile device is identified. In a third stage, a position of the mobile device on the identified building level is determined. At least some of these stages of localization may utilize information received at the mobile device from surrounding access points. For example, the island on which the user is located may be determined by identifying at least one access point on that island. Further, decision trees may be executed using input related to a received signal strength from the surrounding access points, and outputs of the decision trees may indicate the device's location.

Abstract: A method and system for device discovery in a wireless network is provided. The device discovery involves directionally transmitting a data unit from a transmitting station over a channel in different directions to emulate omni-directional transmission, receiving the data unit transmissions from different directions at a receiving station, determining the quality of the transmissions received from the different directions, and detecting location information for the transmitting station relative to the receiving station based on the highest quality transmission among the transmissions received from the different directions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are for receiving a tracking failure notification including a device identifier of a tracked device that is unavailable because of a failure condition, determining the failure condition as being one of a network failure and a tracked device failure, retrieving known location data of the tracked device including a last known location of the tracked device, determining a potential location of the tracked device, and notifying an entity of the failure condition, the device identifier, and the potential location.

Abstract: A method for positioning mobile devices includes steps of: a main device sending a first detection request to a plurality of peripheral devices; upon receiving the first detection request, each of the peripheral devices sending back a signal to the main device for recording; sending all obtained information back to the main device; and loading a visual interface having a plurality of device positions into the main device, the number of the device positions being equal to or more than the number of the peripheral devices; and the main device determining an orientation of each of the peripheral devices according to transmission times, and assigning the peripheral devices to the device positions in the visual interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for location-based services. An event or device condition is detected at a device. A current geographic location of a device is determined. Location-based information based on the determined current geographic location is received. The location-based information includes information relevant to the event or device condition. The information is presented.

Abstract: The inventive method for monitoring entities (10) moving in a monitored space represented by a first digital model (14) comprising a set of maps (16) divided into geographical zones (18) of a predetermined shape, and having a size defined according to the level of granularity, includes: identifying geographical zones (18) of each map (16), defining operational zones (24a, 24b) and associating each operational zone (24a, 24b) with a predefined level of granularity, configuration, positioning the entity (10), determining a level of granularity to be applied, determining a geographical zone (18) containing the entity (10), detecting a change of zone, and applying a new level of granularity as a function of the operational destination zone (24a, 24b). The determination steps, the detection step, and the application step are carried out within each entity (10), independently.

Abstract: A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for proximity-based authentication for managing personal data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include receiving a request for personal data from a data access device, determining a first location corresponding to a location of the data access device, and determining a second location corresponding to a location of an authentication device. The operations also include transmitting the personal data to the data access device if the first location is within a threshold distance of the second location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a user-portable electronic device and in particular one which is capable of establishing transmission connection with one or more mobile electronic devices. A user-portable electronic device comprising transmission connection circuitry arranged to establish transmission connection between the user-portable electronic device and one or more mobile electronic devices; geographic-location determining circuitry arranged to determine a geographic location of the or each mobile electronic device associated with transmission connection of the user-portable electronic device and the or each mobile electronic device; and log circuitry arranged to allow storage of a geographic-location log including at least a last-known geographic location of the or each mobile electronic device.

Abstract: A computer program product that includes a computer useable storage medium to store a computer readable program for proximity-based authentication for managing personal data that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform operations. The operations include receiving a request for personal data from a data access device, determining a first location corresponding to a location of the data access device, and determining a second location corresponding to a location of an authentication device. The operations also include transmitting the personal data to the data access device if the first location is within a threshold distance of the second location.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method including executing instructions stored on a computer-readable medium is provided. The method includes receiving a request for location services from a user, the request including one or more request parameters. The method also includes formatting the request as a single uniform resource locator (URL) string including the one or more request parameters and transmitting the formatted request to a first of a plurality of geolocation service providers. The method also includes receiving from the first of a plurality of geolocation service providers one or more geographic coordinates related to the request and the one or more request parameters. The method includes outputting the one or more geographic coordinates to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs.

Abstract: A network controller including processing circuitry may be configured to receive dynamic position information indicative of a three dimensional position of at least one mobile communication node, compare fixed position information indicative of fixed geographic locations of respective access points of a network to the dynamic position information to determine a relative position of the at least one mobile communication node relative to at least one of the access points based on the fixed position information and the dynamic position information, and provide network control instructions to at least one network asset based on the relative position.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to limiting the use of an autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle by particular occupants based on permission data. More specifically, permission data may include destinations, routes, and/or other information that is predefined or set by a third party. The vehicle may then access the permission data in order to transport the particular occupant to the predefined destination, for example, without deviation from the predefined route. The vehicle may drop the particular occupant off at the destination and may wait until the passenger is ready to move to another predefined destination. The permission data may be used to limit the ability of the particular occupant to change the route of the vehicle completely or by some maximum deviation value. For example, the vehicle may be able to deviate from the route up to a particular distance from or along the route.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are provided for implementing resource and/or location-based matching services between a wireless terminal (e.g., mobile phone) user and one or more resources. A novel infrastructure supports resource and/or location based matching services over a wireless network. A back-end system includes a database, server, and match engine that are configured match a user with one or more resources based on the user's characteristics, preferences, and/or location. Such resources include (1) other users, (2) targeted advertising, (3) businesses/networking opportunities, and/or (4) locate a nearby service or store. A flexible database architecture supports application-specific resources which facilitate the deployment of various matching services. Application developers are thus able to implement different resource-matching applications for wireless devices through a common back-end infrastructure.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a location based service to create a social network, comprising activating a feature from a wireless terminal, registering from the wireless terminal with a location based service associated with the feature, creating a profile of a user of the feature, and displaying candidates based on the profile and based on the geographic location of the candidates. A Global Positioning System (GPS) may be used to geographically locate active users of a feature. An activity map may be associated with a feature, the activity map displaying active users of the feature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mobile terminal comprising: a wireless communication unit for sensing a location of a mobile terminal, and receiving, from the outside, a place image corresponding to the location of the mobile terminal and neighboring terminal information of at least one neighboring terminal at the same place as the mobile terminal; a control unit for generating a device map on which the neighboring terminal which is at the same place as the mobile terminal, is displayed on the basis of the place image and the neighboring terminal information; a memory for storing the device map; and a display unit for displaying the device map.

Abstract: Embodiments of a location sharing network manager process are described. The process is executed on a server computer coupled to a plurality of location aware mobile communication devices over a wireless network. The process determines the geographic location of a mobile communication device operated by a user within an area, displays a map representation of the area around the mobile communication device on a graphical user interface of the mobile communication device, and superimposes on the map the respective locations of one or more of the mobile communication devices. An advertising platform manager provides tools for an advertiser to create and transmit relevant ad messages to a user based on specific location, time, and profile data of the user. The ad messages can be provided in the form of a text advertising message, coupon and/or graphic element.

Abstract: A wireless communication system is disclosed. The wireless communication system transmits a location measure signal for determining a location of a user equipment to the user equipment by allocating the location measure signal to at least one of symbols to which a synchronization signal is transmitted conventionally. In this case, a location related parameter of the user equipment can be measured with higher accuracy.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a user input unit configured to receive user-inputs; a wireless communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; at least one camera configured to capture images; a touchscreen configured to display a camera preview image captured by the camera; a position-location processor configured to obtain information on a current position of the mobile terminal; and a controller configured to search for textual object information corresponding to an object within the camera preview image based on the current position of the mobile terminal, to control the camera to photograph the camera preview image and to store the photographed camera preview image as a picture file, to output query information to query whether the searched textual object information is to be stored together with the picture file, and to store the picture file with or without the searched textual object information based on an answer to the output query information.

Abstract: GPS data can be transmitted from a portable electronic device to a central database using either a cellular network or a satellite RF network. Multiple embodiments are capable of executing tools and techniques that automatically determine the network appropriate for given conditions, maximize GPS data transmission coverage, and minimize cost. Using the described technology, it is possible to detect, differentiate between, and utilize networks according to circumstance.

Abstract: Methods including computer program products for receiving a request from a first device, the request incorporating a message. One or more users from a first set of one or more users are selected where each of the selected one or more users is associated with a second device that is in a proximity to a current location of the first device. The message and the current location of the first device are sent to each of the second devices associated with the selected one or more users.

Abstract: A phone system for providing dial by specialty features that can dynamically update providers within the system. A dial by specialty service can be provided on a user's mobile device. The dial by specialty service can prompt the user to enter in specialty information, which can represent specific services or goods the user is looking for. The dial by specialty service can then search an augmented directory to find the telephone number of a provider who best satisfies the search criteria. In one embodiment, the service can place a call on behalf of the user to transfer the user to the telephone number. The providers at the time of being called can decline to accept the call from the dial by specialty service. The selected provider can also choose to be removed from the augmented directory altogether.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises transmitting a Layer 2 (L2) frame from a first wireless device. Upon receipt of a frame in response to the L2 frame, the first wireless device uses information conveyed in the frame to modify its functionality.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for estimating mobile station location include receiving reported signal strengths or other attachment indicator values from a mobile station. The reported signal strengths are compared with characteristic received signal strength values in a coverage area of a mobile network. A mobile switching center determines if a local function is requested and initiates a location estimation process by a mobile location module (MLM). The MLM receives the reported signal strength contours associated with the attachment points. Based on a comparison of the reported attachment indicator values with characteristic values, the MLM provides a mobile location estimate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein, among other things, are apparatus and methods for interactive property communication. In various embodiments, an interactive property communication system includes two or more property communication nodes (PCNs) each adapted for coupling to an electrical service. PCNs include a radio transceiver for communications with a broker service adapted for controlling communications with one or more PCNs.

Abstract: A location update method, and a heterogeneous network communications system and a device are provided herein. The method includes: an information server receives a location update request message from a multimode terminal; the information server searches the pre-stored location area mapping information for the location area information of the second interface; and the information server sends the location update request message of the second interface to a second Paging Coordinator (PC) corresponding to the second interface, where the request message carries the found location area information of the second interface so that the second PC can update existing location area information of the second interface. The system includes an information server, a first PC and a second PC.

Abstract: A method of performing a data transaction between a portable storage device and an electronic device includes determining positions of the portable storage device by a positioning module of the portable storage device, calculating distance between a current position and a position of a previous data transaction to determine whether a position-based criterion is met by a processing module, establishing a data connection between the portable storage device and the electronic device when the position-based criterion is met, and performing the data transaction between the portable storage device and the electronic device.

Abstract: Geo-targeting may be used in combination with wireless alert capabilities to provide alerts to a more granulated geographical area. Disclosed herein is a system and method for performing geo-targeting for various alert areas such that emergency messages may be delivered to mobile and static devices of different types in a localized area. In an example embodiment, geo-targeting supports the delivery area for wireless emergency alerts by identifying the cell sites that are in a specified geographic area that have technology capable of delivering wireless emergency alerts. The components of the telecommunications system that support a wireless emergency alert system may be identified and mapped to any geographical area. The method and system of geo-target mapping may provide an efficient and more robust way of determining the telecommunication components to be employed for broadcasting emergency alerts.

Abstract: Content transfer involving a gesture is described. In an implementation, a method is implemented by a mobile communications device that includes recognizing a gesture input via a touchscreen of the mobile communications device that is indicative of a direction, the touchscreen including a display of content. One or more other mobile communications devices are located that are positioned, approximately, along the indicated direction of the gesture. A communication is formed to transfer the content to the located one or more other mobile communications devices.

Abstract: The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed. If the record of contact routing rules includes at least one contact routing rule assigned to a hot spot, the contact is routed according to the at least one contact routing rule, based on whether or not the mobile terminal is determined to be within the hot spot.

Abstract: A method of establishing connection between users of mobile devices includes receiving at a computer a location of a first user from a first mobile device, receiving from a second mobile device a location of a second user having an acquaintance relationship to the first user, and sending a message to the first mobile device based on the proximity of the first user to the second user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a communication session between a first device and a second device. The first device is a mobile computing device. The location of the first device is received at the second device. The location of the first device is displayed on a graphical user interface of the second device during the communication session.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of presenting place-related content on a computing device entails, in response to receiving input identifying a place, obtaining place-related content for the place from a place database that stores place-related data related to each one of a plurality of places and presenting the place-related content from the place database in a consolidated place-specific view. This technology provides a place-centric view that presents a consolidated view of place-related content for a selected place.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering and receiving emergency broadcast alert messages using Short Message Service (SMS) are described, In one design, a broadcast alert message for an emergency alert may be sent in an SMS broadcast message, e.g., by mapping at least one field of the broadcast alert message to corresponding Held(s) of the SMS broadcast message and mapping remaining Fields of the broadcast alert message to a data Field of the SMS broadcast message. The SMS broadcast message may include a website URI link, broadcast reception information, location information for an emergency event, etc. The SMS broadcast message may be carried in a system broadcast message sent to wireless devices. A wireless device may receive the system broadcast message, extract the SMS broadcast message, and obtain the broadcast alert message. The wireless device may detect for duplicate broadcast messages based on a hash digest generated for each broadcast message.