Estimation of Position Using WLAN Access Point Radio Propagation Characteristics in a WLAN Positioning System
First Claim
1. A method of characterizing a WLAN access point, so that the characterization may be used later to effectively weigh signals transmitted by said WLAN access point when performing a location estimation, the method of characterization comprising:
- measuring a plurality of power values for signals transmitted by at least one WLAN access point, each power value being measured at a position relative to the WLAN access point;
estimating a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the measured plurality of power values;
dividing the signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into at least one section; and
assigning a weight to each section of the WLAN access point based on at least one of the estimated signal coverage area and the plurality of power values.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for estimating position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN location based service is provided. A location-based services system has a plurality of Wi-Fi access points in a target area. The Wi-Fi access points are positioned at geographic locations and have signal coverage areas. A method of characterizing at least one of the Wi-Fi access points comprises determining the geographic location of the Wi-Fi access point, dividing the signal coverage area of the Wi-Fi access point into at least one section, and determining radio propagation characteristics for each section. The radio propagation characteristics of each section characterize a radio channel of the Wi-Fi access point, and the characterization can be used in a location algorithm.
163 Citations
16 Claims
-
1. A method of characterizing a WLAN access point, so that the characterization may be used later to effectively weigh signals transmitted by said WLAN access point when performing a location estimation, the method of characterization comprising:
-
measuring a plurality of power values for signals transmitted by at least one WLAN access point, each power value being measured at a position relative to the WLAN access point; estimating a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the measured plurality of power values; dividing the signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into at least one section; and assigning a weight to each section of the WLAN access point based on at least one of the estimated signal coverage area and the plurality of power values. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
-
-
9. A system for characterizing a WLAN access point, so that the characterization may be used later to effectively weigh signals transmitted by said WLAN access point when performing a location estimation, the system of characterization comprising:
-
a computer readable information storage system; a computer readable medium comprising instructions that when executed cause a computer system to; receive a plurality of measured power values for signals transmitted by at least one WLAN access point, each power value being measured at a position relative to the WLAN access point; estimate a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the measured plurality of power values; divide the signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into at least one section; assign a weight to each section of the WLAN access point based on at least one of the estimated signal coverage area and the plurality of power values; and store the weight assigned to each section of the WLAN access point in the computer readable information storage system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
Specification