Autonomous hybrid WLAN/GPS location self-awareness
First Claim
1. A method of operating a hybrid wireless device that receives signals from a number of global positioning satellites and exchanges data with a wireless local area network (WLAN) device, the method comprising:
- receiving, from the global positioning satellites, first location data indicating a location of the hybrid wireless device;
determining whether the hybrid wireless device is within a wireless range of the WLAN device;
wirelessly coupling the hybrid wireless device to the WLAN device if the hybrid wireless device is within the wireless range;
receiving, from the WLAN device, second location data indicating a location of the WLAN device;
comparing the first location data with the second location data;
updating the first location data with the second location data if the comparing indicates that the second location data is more current than the first location data; and
transmitting the first location data to the WLAN device if the comparing indicates that the first location data is more current than the second location data.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for providing collective sharing and learning of location information in a network, specifically by enabling wireless devices to become self-aware of their location by leveraging the presence of hybrid WLAN/GPS devices that are inherently location self-aware. Self-aware network devices are enabled to self-determine and maintain their own location awareness without the need for a GPS receiver, and using hybrid WLAN/GPS devices to assist WLAN-only devices in becoming location self-aware. Additionally, the method includes pass-by autonomous exchange of location information between network devices, and avoidance of the need to associate by bursting the location information in beacon and probe request/response packets. The system and method also provides for sharing of trusted location data.
-
Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a hybrid wireless device that receives signals from a number of global positioning satellites and exchanges data with a wireless local area network (WLAN) device, the method comprising:
-
receiving, from the global positioning satellites, first location data indicating a location of the hybrid wireless device; determining whether the hybrid wireless device is within a wireless range of the WLAN device; wirelessly coupling the hybrid wireless device to the WLAN device if the hybrid wireless device is within the wireless range; receiving, from the WLAN device, second location data indicating a location of the WLAN device; comparing the first location data with the second location data; updating the first location data with the second location data if the comparing indicates that the second location data is more current than the first location data; and transmitting the first location data to the WLAN device if the comparing indicates that the first location data is more current than the second location data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A system comprising:
-
a hybrid wireless device to receive signals from a number of global positioning satellites and to exchange data with a wireless local area network (WLAN) device, wherein the hybrid wireless device is configured to; receive, from the global positioning satellites, first location data indicating a location of the hybrid wireless device; determine whether the hybrid wireless device is within a wireless range of the WLAN device; wirelessly couple the hybrid wireless device to the WLAN device if the hybrid wireless device is within the wireless range; receive, from the WLAN device, second location data indicating a location of the WLAN device; compare the first location data with the second location data; update the first location data with the second location data if the comparing indicates that the second location data is more current than the first location data; and transmit the first location data to the WLAN device if the comparing indicates that the first location data is more current than the second location data. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
-
Specification