Configurable zone-based location detection
First Claim
1. In a coverage area comprising a plurality of zones, each zone corresponding to a region within the coverage area and being associated with at least one access point, each access point transmitting a wireless signal, the signal strength of each access point determinable at the target, and a current zone list which is comprised of a set of zero or more zones in which the target resides, or is believed to reside, a method of determining a current physical location for a target, comprising:
- a) initializing a threshold signal strength margin;
b) determining at least one winning access point, based on the determined signal strengths for each access point and a threshold signal strength margin;
c) determining, based on the determined at least one winning access point, a consecutive non-winner count, wherein the consecutive non-winner count is the consecutive number of times the access point has not been a winning access point, and a exit sample requirement, whether the target has exited any zones;
d) determining, based on the determined at least one winning access point, a consecutive winner count, wherein the consecutive winner count is the consecutive number of times the access point has been a winning access point, and a entry sample requirement, whether the target has entered any zones.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved technique provides location detection using wireless net-works such as Wi-Fi networks in a flexible, configurable manner that allows for variations in the environment and tracks target movement accurately in such an environment. Zones of different relative sizes and sensitivities can be defined, so as to vary the degree of resolution for different parts of the area being detected. Mechanisms are provided to take into account fluctuations in signal strength, and reduce the incidence of false positives resulting from incorrectly detecting zone or location changes due to fluctuations of signal strength. In addition, detection time can be configured for zone entry and/or exit. Self-adjustment based on heuristic analysis can also be implemented. Data can be sent or received based on the physical location as determined by the zone.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. In a coverage area comprising a plurality of zones, each zone corresponding to a region within the coverage area and being associated with at least one access point, each access point transmitting a wireless signal, the signal strength of each access point determinable at the target, and a current zone list which is comprised of a set of zero or more zones in which the target resides, or is believed to reside, a method of determining a current physical location for a target, comprising:
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a) initializing a threshold signal strength margin; b) determining at least one winning access point, based on the determined signal strengths for each access point and a threshold signal strength margin; c) determining, based on the determined at least one winning access point, a consecutive non-winner count, wherein the consecutive non-winner count is the consecutive number of times the access point has not been a winning access point, and a exit sample requirement, whether the target has exited any zones; d) determining, based on the determined at least one winning access point, a consecutive winner count, wherein the consecutive winner count is the consecutive number of times the access point has been a winning access point, and a entry sample requirement, whether the target has entered any zones. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification