METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MOBILE STATION LOCATION ESTIMATION

• US 20090221299A1
• Filed: 03/02/2009
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Snapp, John Lawrence, MacDonald, Alan Denis, Sather, Marc W.
• Application Number:
  US12/396,372
• Publication Number:
  US 20090221299A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0252 Radio frequency fingerprinting
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 Backbone network devices

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.

Claims

1. A mobile station location processor, comprising;

an input configured to receive attachment indicators associated with at least 5 two points of attachment of the mobile station;

a memory configured to store sets of predetermined attachment indicators associated with the at least two points of attachment; and

an estimation unit configured to provide an estimate of the mobile station location based on a comparison of the received attachment indicators and at least one set of the at least two predetermined attachment indicators.

2. The mobile station location processor of claim 1, wherein the estimation unit is configured to provide the estimate of the mobile station location based on a comparison of the received attachment indicator values and the sets of attachment indicator values associated with the at least two points of attachment.

3. The mobile station location processor of claim 2, wherein the received attachment indicator values are reported by the mobile station.

4. The mobile station location processor of claim 3, wherein the attachment indicator values are received signal strength values.

5. The mobile station location processor of claim 1, wherein the attachment indicator values are received signal strength values reported by the mobile station.