Cell Sensor for Access Ports

• US 20090280801A1
• Filed: 05/09/2008
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: MALIK, Ajay
• Application Number:
  US12/118,126
• Publication Number:
  US 20090280801A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.100
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0263 by combining or switching between positions derived from two or more separate positioning systems
• 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 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

A system may include (a) a mobile device configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, the first mode operating with a first protocol of a first network, the second mode operating with a second protocol of a second network; and (b) an access port of the first network configured to receive signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in the first mode. The access port is equipped with a sensor that receives the signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in the second mode.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a mobile device configured to operate in a first mode and a second mode, the first mode operating with a first protocol of a first network, the second mode operating with a second protocol of a second network; and

an access port of the first network configured to receive signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in the first mode, the access port equipped with a sensor that receives the signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in the second mode.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a server of the first network configured to determine a location of the mobile device as a function of the signals transmitted from the mobile device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to determine a location of the mobile device as a function of the signals transmitted from the mobile device.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the first network is a WiFi network.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second network is a cellular network.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the server determines whether the mobile device is associated with one of the first network and the second network.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a database storing association data of the first network, the association data indicating whether the mobile device is associated with the first network.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the access port broadcasts a query signal using the first protocol.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensor broadcasts a query signal using the second protocol.

10. The system of claim 2, wherein the location is determined using one of a triangulation, a received signal strength indication (RSSI), and a global positioning system (GPS).

11. An access port of a first network, comprising:

a transceiver configured to receive signals transmitted from a mobile device while the mobile device is operating in a first mode, the first mode operating with a first protocol of the first network; and

a sensor configured to receive the signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in a second mode, the second mode operating with a second protocol of a second network.

12. The access port of claim 11, wherein the access port is connected to a server of the first network.

13. The access port of claim 12, wherein the transceiver receives the signals transmitted from the mobile device that are forwarded to the server which is configured to determine a location of the mobile device as a function of the signals transmitted from the mobile device.

14. The access port of claim 11, wherein the sensor is configured to determine a location of the mobile device as a function of the signals transmitted from the mobile device.

15. The access port of claim 11, wherein the first network is a WiFi network.

16. The access port of claim 11, wherein the second network is a cellular network.

17. The access port of claim 12, wherein the access port receives an indication from the server that is configured to determine whether the mobile device is associated with one of the first network and the second network.

18. The access port of claim 17, wherein the transceiver broadcasts a query signal using the first protocol.

19. The access port of claim 17, wherein the sensor broadcasts a query signal using the second protocol.

20. An access port of a first network, comprising:

a first means for receiving signals transmitted from a mobile device while the mobile device is operating in a first mode, the first mode operating with a first protocol of the first network; and

a second means for receiving the signals transmitted from the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in a second mode, the second mode operating with a second protocol of a second network.