Techniques for utilizing access point vicinity information

• US 9,794,984 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2014
• Issued: 10/17/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Edge, Stephen William
• Primary Examiner(s): Agosta, Steve D
• Application Number:
  US14/476,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20150080019A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• Field of Search: 4554561-457, 4554141, 710 68, 3703102, 370328
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0236 Assistance data, e.g. base station almanac
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02524 Creating or updating the radio-map
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/003 locating network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Techniques for providing access point (AP) vicinity information are disclosed. In one example, the techniques include determining a first set of vicinity information corresponding to signal values for an AP at a set of grid points for the coverage area of the AP, encoding the first set of AP vicinity information based at least on a difference between AP vicinity information values for adjacent grid points to generate a second set of AP vicinity information, and providing the second set of AP vicinity information to a device. In one example, the techniques include receiving, for a set of grid points, a first set of AP vicinity information that is compressed based at least on a difference between AP vicinity information values for adjacent grid points, and performing decompression to obtain a second set of AP vicinity information corresponding to signal values for an AP at the set of grid points.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determining a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received wireless signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between received signal strength values at adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises:

determining AP vicinity information values corresponding to each of the grid points in the set of grid points based on the delta values and a vicinity information value corresponding to a predefined grid point.

3. A method for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determining a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received wireless signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between round trip time for signal propagation between the AP and each of the adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

4. A mobile device for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the mobile device comprising:

a memory that stores machine-readable instructions; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

receive a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between received signal strength values at adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

5. A mobile device for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the mobile device comprising:

a memory that stores machine-readable instructions; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

receive a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between round trip time for signal propagation between the AP and each of the adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

6. A non-transitory processor-readable medium comprising processor-readable instructions, the instructions, when executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed access point (AP) vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value; and

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between received signal strength values at adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

7. A non-transitory processor-readable medium comprising processor-readable instructions, the instructions, when executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed access point (AP) vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value; and

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between round trip time for signal propagation between the AP and each of the adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

8. An apparatus for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

means for decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

means for determining a location of the apparatus using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between received signal strength values at adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

9. An apparatus for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

means for decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

means for determining a location of the apparatus using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information corresponds to a difference between round trip time for signal propagation between the AP and each of the adjacent grid points in the set of grid points.

10. A method for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the method comprising:

receiving, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompressing the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determining a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received wireless signal and the second set of AP vicinity information; and

wherein the predetermined range of values comprises a first predetermined range of values, and wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information further comprises an indication of one of a predetermined range of values from among two or more predetermined ranges of values.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the two or more predetermined ranges of values comprise a low-range, a mid-range and a high-range.

12. A mobile device for utilizing access point (AP) vicinity information, the mobile device comprising:

a memory that stores machine-readable instructions; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory,

wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

receive a first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information;

wherein the predetermined range of values comprises a first predetermined range of values, and wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information further comprises an indication of one of a predetermined range of values from among two or more predetermined ranges of values; and

wherein the two or more predetermined ranges of values comprise a low-range, a mid-range and a high-range.

13. A non-transitory processor-readable medium comprising processor-readable instructions, the instructions, when executed by a processor, the instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

receive, by a mobile device, a first set of encoded and compressed access point (AP) vicinity information from a device,

wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information comprises a double delta value, the double delta value determined based on a mapping of a difference between a first single delta value and a second single delta value to a predetermined range of values,

the first single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a first pair of adjacent grid points in a set of grid points, and

the second single delta value indicating a difference between AP vicinity information values for a second pair of adjacent grid points different from the first pair, the second pair of adjacent grid points in the set of grid points,

the AP vicinity information values comprising values corresponding to wireless signals associated with the AP;

decompress the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information to generate a second set of AP vicinity information comprising a plurality of delta values corresponding to adjacent grid points of the set of grid points, the plurality of delta values comprising the first single delta value and the second single delta value;

determine a location of the mobile device using information corresponding to a received signal and the second set of AP vicinity information;

wherein the predetermined range of values comprises a first predetermined range of values, and wherein the first set of encoded and compressed AP vicinity information further comprises an indication of one of a predetermined range of values from among two or more predetermined ranges of values; and

wherein the two or more predetermined ranges of values comprise a low-range, a mid-range and a high-range.