Estimation of position using WLAN access point radio propagation characteristics in a WLAN positioning system
First Claim
1. A method of characterizing a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, comprising:
- receiving a plurality of positions at which signals transmitted by the WLAN access point have been detected;
estimating a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected;
dividing the estimated signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into at least one section;
determining radio propagation characteristics of the WLAN access point for each section of the signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on at least a radius of the estimated signal coverage area or signal strength at the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; and
storing the radio propagations characteristics in a reference database of a computing device.
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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.
110 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of characterizing a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of positions at which signals transmitted by the WLAN access point have been detected; estimating a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; dividing the estimated signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into at least one section; determining radio propagation characteristics of the WLAN access point for each section of the signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on at least a radius of the estimated signal coverage area or signal strength at the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; and storing the radio propagations characteristics in a reference database of a computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A computing device having software stored therein that when executed is operable to:
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receive a plurality of positions at which signals transmitted by a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point have been detected; estimate a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; divide the estimated signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into two or more sections; determine radio propagation characteristics of the WLAN access point for each section based on at least radius of the estimated signal coverage area or signal strength at the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; and store the radio propagations characteristics. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method of characterizing a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point and using the characterized WLAN access point in WLAN based positioning, comprising:
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receiving a plurality of positions at which signals transmitted by a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point have been detected; estimating a signal coverage area of the WLAN access point based on the plurality of positions at which the signals were detected; dividing the estimated signal coverage area of the WLAN access point into two or more sections; determining radio propagation characteristics of the WLAN access point for each section; storing the radio propagations characteristics in a reference database; and utilizing at least some of the stored radio propagation characteristics of the WLAN access point from the reference database by positioning software executing on a WLAN-enabled device to estimate a position of the WLAN-enabled device, when the WLAN-enabled device is within range of the WLAN access point. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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Specification