Estimating Whether Or Not A Wireless Terminal Is In A Zone Using Radio Navigation

• US 20080207219A1
• Filed: 02/28/2007
• Published: 08/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Polaris Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Polaris Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Gordon, Scot Douglas, Feuerstein, Martin, Bhattacharya, Tarun Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 8,320,933 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A method for estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a zone is described. The method is based on the following observation: when a wireless terminal is at a particular location, the values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals that vary with location represent a “fingerprint” or “signature” for that location. This enables the location of a wireless terminal to be estimated by comparing the observed values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals with the fingerprint for each potential location for the wireless terminal.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

generating a computer-executable program based on a database that comprises;

(i) an expected value of a electromagnetic trait of a first signal in said first location, and

(ii) an expected value of said electromagnetic trait of a second signal in a second location; and

transmitting said computer-executable program to said wireless terminal for execution on said wireless terminal;

wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in a zone is based on a measured value of said electromagnetic trait of said first signal; and

wherein said zone comprises said first location and said second location.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising installing said computer-executable program on a subscriber identity module on said wireless terminal.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising executing said computer-executable program on a subscriber identity module on said wireless terminal.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer-executable program is also based on a characteristic, C, of said wireless terminal.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein generating said computer-executable program is performed in response to a change in said expected value of said electromagnetic trait of said second signal in said second location.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in said zone is also based on the calendrical time.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in said zone is also based on a historical record of said wireless terminal.

8. A method comprising:

generating a computer-executable program based on a database that comprises;

(i) an expected value of a electromagnetic trait of a first signal in said first location,

(ii) an expected value of said electromagnetic trait of a second signal in said first location; and

transmitting said computer-executable program to said wireless terminal for execution on said wireless terminal;

wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in said first location is based on;

(i) a measured value of said electromagnetic trait of said first signal,

(ii) a measured value of said electromagnetic trait of said second signal, and

(iii) the difference between said measured value of said electromagnetic trait of said first signal and said measured value of said electromagnetic trait of said second signal.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising installing said computer-executable program on a subscriber identity module on said wireless terminal.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising executing said computer-executable program on a subscriber identity module on said wireless terminal.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said computer-executable program is also based on a characteristic, C, of said wireless terminal.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein generating said computer-executable program is performed in response to a change in said expected value of said electromagnetic trait of said second signal in said second location.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in said zone is also based on the calendrical time.

14. The method of claim 8 wherein said computer-executable program estimates whether or not said wireless terminal is present in said zone is also based on a historical record of said wireless terminal.