System and method for locating a wireless device

• US 20070202838A1
• Filed: 02/28/2006
• Published: 08/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Symbol Technologies, LLC (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Ubriaco, Charles, Zancola, Ronald, Faith, Michael, Linsley-Hood, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,504,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/344
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

Described is a system and method for locating a wireless device. The method comprising receiving a first wireless signal including first location data. The first location data corresponds to a first location of a wireless device as determined by a first wireless communication system. Receiving a second wireless signal including second location data. The second location data corresponding to a second location of the wireless device as determined by a second wireless communication system. Determining a third location of the device as a function of at least one of the first and second location data. Adjusting a setting of the wireless device as a function of the third location.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a first wireless signal including first location data, the first location data corresponding to a first location of a wireless device as determined by a first wireless communication system;

receiving a second wireless signal including second location data, the second location data corresponding to a second location of the wireless device as determined by a second wireless communication system;

determining a third location of the device as a function of at least one of the first and second location data; and

adjusting a setting of the wireless device as a function of the third location.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the setting includes at least one of (i) processing rate, (ii) back light brightness, (iii) ringer, (iv) wireless communication capability, (v) device power and (vi) data transfer rate.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the device is one of a cellular phone, a PDA, a network interface card, an image-based scanner, a laser-based scanner, an RFID tag, an RFID reader, a tablet and a laptop.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first wireless communication system is a global positioning system.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the second wireless communication system is a wireless wide area network.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting step includes the following substeps:

comparing the third location to a list of preidentified locations, the list including the preidentified locations and corresponding settings of the device for each of the preidentified locations; and

when the third location matches one of the preidentified locations, adjusting the setting of the device to the corresponding settings of the one of the preidentified locations.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the setting as a function of a time at which the third location is determined.

8. A wireless device, comprising:

a communications arrangement receiving a first wireless signal including first location data, the first location data corresponding to a first location of the as determined by a first wireless communication system, the communications arrangement receiving a second wireless signal including second location data, the second location data corresponding to a second location of the device as determined by a second wireless communication system; and

a processor determining a third location of the device as a function of at least one of the first and second location data, the processor adjusting a setting of the wireless device as a function of the third location.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the setting includes at least one of (i) processing rate, (ii) back light brightness, (iii) ringer, (iv) wireless communication capability, (v) device power and (vi) data transfer rate.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein the device is one of a cellular phone, a PDA, a network interface card, an image-based scanner, a laser-based scanner, an RFID tag, an RFID reader, a tablet and a laptop.

11. The device according to claim 8, wherein the first wireless communication system is a global positioning system.

12. The device according to claim 8, wherein the second wireless communication system is a wireless wide area network.

13. The device according to claim 8, further comprising:

a memory storing a list of preidentified locations, the list including the preidentified locations and corresponding settings of the device for each of the preidentified locations.

14. The device according to claim 13, wherein when the third location matches one of the preidentified locations, the processor adjusts the setting of the device to the corresponding settings of the one of the preidentified locations.

15. The device according to claim 8, wherein the processor adjusts the setting as a function of a time at which the third location is determined.

16. An arrangement, comprising:

a communications means for receiving wireless signals including a first wireless signal and a second wireless signal, the first wireless signal including first location data, the first location data corresponding to a first location of the arrangement as determined by a first wireless communication system, the second wireless signal including second location data, the second location data corresponding to a second location of the arrangement as determined by a second wireless communication system; and

a processing means for determining a third location of the arrangement as a function of at least one of the first and second location data, the processing means adjusting a setting of the arrangement as a function of the third location.

17. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the setting includes at least one of (i) processing rate, (ii) back light brightness, (iii) ringer, (iv) wireless communication capability, (v) arrangement power and (vi) data transfer rate.

18. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the arrangement includes at least one of a cellular phone, a PDA, a network interface card, an image-based scanner, a laser-based scanner, an RFID tag, an RFID reader, a tablet and a laptop.

19. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the first wireless communication system is a global positioning system.

20. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the second wireless communication system is a wireless wide area network.

21. The arrangement according to claim 16, further comprising:

a storage means for storing a list of preidentified locations, the list including the preidentified locations and corresponding settings of the device for each of the preidentified locations.

22. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein when the third location matches one of the preidentified locations, the processing means adjusts the setting of the device to the corresponding settings of the one of the preidentified locations.

23. The arrangement according to claim 16, wherein the processing means adjusts the setting as a function of a time at which the third location is determined.