Method and system for directing a wireless user to a location for improved communication

• US 8,095,146 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2003
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Raghavachari, Mukund
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Application Number:
  US10/674,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20050070302A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,024 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/422.1, 455/423, 455/452.1, 455/424, 455/453, 455/513, 455/512, 455/9, 455/10, 455/67.13, 455/67.14, 455/67.11
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information

Abstract

An information handling system for improving reception comprises logic for determining a target location for improved communication for a wireless telecommunication unit based in part on information representing a recent position of the wireless telecommunication unit, wherein the target location is more likely to result in better reception of wireless signals from a wireless access point. The system also includes a transceiver for receiving and transmitting signals to other users of the network. Optionally, the transceiver can be configured for receiving information representing the most recent position of the wireless unit and for transmitting directions to the wireless unit, the directions including information on how to get to the target location.

Claims

1. An information handling system comprising:

a wireless unit configured for moving within a network, said wireless unit comprising;

a location determining mechanism;

a transceiver; and

an input/output interface;

a wireless access point for facilitating contact between the wireless unit and the network;

logic for determining;

a target position for improved communication for the wireless unit based in part on information representing a recent position of the wireless unit and based in part on historical data on received signal strength at the recent and target positions;

a transmitter for transmitting directions to a user of the wireless unit to be presented on the input/output interface, the directions including information directing the user of the wireless unit to move the wireless unit to the target position for improved reception;

wherein changing a position of the wireless unit from the recent position to the target position is more likely to result in improved reception and transmission of wireless signals to and from the wireless access point; and

a database for storing information relating to position and related data on wireless reception quality, and wherein the information stored based on historical data on received signal strength at the recent and target positions is enhanced by information on an environment of the recent and target positions.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic for determining the target position comprises a mapping device for defining the target position.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the database is dynamically updateable based on reception strength input received from a plurality of wireless units.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the logic for determining the target position comprises an application specific integrated circuit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the transceiver is configured for receiving information representing the recent position of the wireless unit and for transmitting directions to the wireless unit, the directions including information directing a user of the wireless unit to the target position.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the information on the environment of the recent and target positions comprises topographical information.

7. In a wireless network comprising access points and wireless clients, a method for directing a user of a wireless client to move the wireless client to a target position for improved communication, comprising:

activating a location-determining mechanism for determining a most recent position of the wireless client, wherein the activating step is triggered in one of two modes;

automatic and fail-safe;

wherein the automatic mode comprises constantly seeking a stronger reception;

wherein the fail-safe mode comprises activating the location-determining mechanism only when the reception strength falls below a predetermined threshold; and

using a database comprising a history of communication quality at various positions, wherein said history is enhanced by information on an environment of the recent and target positions;

using a wireless unit locator for determining, based on the history of communication quality on received signal strength at the most recent and target positions, whether there exists the target position for improved communication between the wireless client and the access point;

using a transceiver for providing information to the wireless client, the information comprising the target position and navigation directions to the target position; and

sending an audio message comprising instructions indicating to the user of the wireless unit how to get to the improved location.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of determining the most recent position of the wireless client further comprises receiving a global positioning system signal.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of sending information to the user of the wireless client further comprises at least one step from among the steps of:

providing a map illustrating a route to the target position;

providing a text message comprising navigation instructions to the target position; and

providing a video message comprising navigation instructions to the target position.

10. The method of claim 7 further comprising dynamically updating the database as new data on communication quality are determined.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of providing information comprises providing information relating to target positions within a destination area provided by the wireless client.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the information provided to the user of the wireless client is based on data relating to the wireless client'"'"'s most recent position, direction and velocity.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of determining the wireless client'"'"'s most recent position comprises using triangulation.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the information on the environment of the recent and target positions comprises topographical information.

15. A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium and comprising computer program code that, when executed, causes a computer to:

direct a user of a wireless client to move from a recent position to a target position for improved communication by;

using a database comprising a history of communication quality at various positions including the recent and target positions, wherein said history of communication quality is enhanced by information on an environment of the recent and target positions;

determining, based on the history of the communication quality on received signal strength at the recent and target positions, the recent location of the wireless client in a wireless network

determining whether there exists the target position for improved communication between the wireless client and the network;

sending a message comprising instructions indicating to the user of the wireless unit how to get to the target position for improved communication; and

providing directions to the target position when it is determined that there exists the target position for improved communication.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising computer program code for receiving a global positioning system signal.

17. The computer program product of claim 16 wherein the computer program code for providing directions further comprise at least one instruction from among the instructions:

providing a map illustrating a route to the target position;

providing a text message comprising navigation instructions to the target position; and

providing a video message comprising navigation instructions to the target position.

18. The computer program product of claim 15 further comprising computer program code using information on the most recent location, direction, and velocity of the wireless client to project the target position for the wireless client where improved communication is likely.

19. The computer program product of claim 15 wherein the information on the environment of the recent and target positions comprises topographical information.

20. A wireless telecommunication unit comprising:

processor logic for

determining, based on historical data on received signal strength at a recent position and a target position of the wireless telecommunication unit, the target position for improved reception for the wireless telecommunication unit based in part on information representing the recent position of the wireless unit, wherein changing the position of the wireless unit from the recent position to the target position is more likely to result in improved reception of wireless signals from a wireless access point; and

a transmitter for transmitting to a user of the wireless unit directions to move the wireless unit to said target location;

a database for storing information relating to position and related data on wireless reception quality, and wherein the information stored based on historical data on received signal strength at the recent and target positions is enhanced by information on an environment of the recent and target positions;

a user interface for presenting the directions; and

a transceiver for receiving and transmitting the wireless signals.

21. The wireless telecommunication unit of claim 20 further comprising a global positioning system.

22. The wireless telecommunication unit of claim 20 wherein the processor logic comprises a programmable processor and program instructions.

23. The wireless telecommunication unit of claim 20 wherein the processor logic comprises an application-specific integrated circuit.

24. The wireless telecommunication unit of claim 20 further comprising a database storing information relating to position and related data on wireless reception quality at the recent and target positions.

25. The wireless communication unit of claim 20 wherein the information on the environment of the recent and target positions comprises topographical information.