Estimating whether a wireless terminal is indoors versus outdoors using probabilities and classifications
First Claim
1. A method associated with a wireless network, the method comprising:
- receiving, by a data-processing system, reports on the signal strengths of wireless signals received by a wireless terminal from a plurality of antennas in the wireless network;
evaluating, by the data-processing system, a plurality of factors based on the reports, wherein each factor is probative of whether the reported-on signals were received indoors by the wireless terminal;
generating, by the data-processing system, an estimated probability that the reported-on signals were received indoors by the wireless terminal, based on the plurality of factors, wherein each factor is weighted according to a corresponding weight that is specific to the wireless network; and
generating, based on the probability, an estimated first location for the wireless terminal, thereby eliminating, also based on the probability, a second location for the wireless terminal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for generating more accurate location estimates are based on indicative factors. The factors are gleaned from wireless signals that were received by a wireless terminal and from other network-specific data. Each factor is probative of whether the wireless signals were received by the wireless terminal: (i) indoors versus outdoors, and/or (ii) “above-the-clutter” versus “below-the-clutter” of ambient wireless signals, and/or (iii) while moving at a certain speed classification, e.g., stationary/pedestrian versus vehicular speeds. Each factor tends to prove or disprove the particular characteristic. The result is an estimated probability, such as the probability that the wireless terminal received the signals indoors. The estimated probability is applied to the analysis of candidate locations, eliminating some candidates from further consideration. This enables computational resources to focus on the remaining higher-likelihood candidate locations and provides improved accuracy in the location estimate.
51 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method associated with a wireless network, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a data-processing system, reports on the signal strengths of wireless signals received by a wireless terminal from a plurality of antennas in the wireless network; evaluating, by the data-processing system, a plurality of factors based on the reports, wherein each factor is probative of whether the reported-on signals were received indoors by the wireless terminal; generating, by the data-processing system, an estimated probability that the reported-on signals were received indoors by the wireless terminal, based on the plurality of factors, wherein each factor is weighted according to a corresponding weight that is specific to the wireless network; and generating, based on the probability, an estimated first location for the wireless terminal, thereby eliminating, also based on the probability, a second location for the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method associated with a wireless network, the method comprising:
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receiving, by a data-processing system, reports on wireless signals received by a wireless terminal from a plurality of antennas in the wireless network; evaluating, by the data-processing system, a factor that is based on the reports, wherein the factor is probative of whether the reported-on signals were received above-the-clutter by the wireless terminal; generating, by the data-processing system, based on the factor, an estimated probability that the reported-on signals were received above-the-clutter by the wireless terminal; and generating, based on the probability, an estimated first location for the wireless terminal, thereby eliminating, also based on the probability, a second location for the wireless terminal. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification