Systems and methods for determining position using a WLAN-PS estimated position as an initial position in a hybrid positioning system

• US 8,054,219 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2009
• Issued: 11/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skyhook Wireless Incorporated (Liberty Broadband Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Skyhook Wireless Incorporated (Liberty Broadband Corp.)
• Inventors: Alizadeh-Shabdiz, Farshid
• Primary Examiner(s): LIU, HARRY K
• Application Number:
  US12/479,724
• Publication Number:
  US 20090303120A1
• Time in Patent Office: 886 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357.31
• US Class Current: 342/357.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/34 Power consumption
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/46 the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
• 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

Abstract

This disclosure describes a method and system for determining position using a WLAN-PS estimated position as an initial position. In some embodiments, the method can include calculating a WLAN position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and using the WLAN position estimate as an initial position in satellite position system to determine the location of the WLAN and satellite enabled device.

Claims

1. A method of determining the position of a WLAN and satellite enabled device by using a WLAN position estimate as an initial location for a satellite positioning system, the method comprising:

receiving signals from one or more WLAN access points within range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device;

determining at least one WLAN position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and at least one corresponding uncertainty estimate based on the signals received from the one or more WLAN access points; and

using the at least one WLAN position estimate the WLAN and satellite enabled device as an initial position for use by the satellite positioning system and the at least one corresponding uncertainty estimate to determine a final position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the WLAN position estimate system is a metro wide WLAN positioning system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the metro wide WLAN position estimate system uses public and private access points.

4. A system for reducing the time-to-fix of a satellite based position estimate using an initial position provided by a WLAN positioning system, the system comprising:

a positioning module comprising;

a WLAN module for receiving signals from one or more WLAN access points within range of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and for determining at least one position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device and at least one corresponding uncertainty estimate based on the signals received from the one or more WLAN access points; and

a satellite positioning module for obtaining satellite information from at least four different satellites, wherein the satellite positioning module uses the at least one WLAN position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device as an initial position and the at least one corresponding uncertainty estimate to determine a final position estimate of the WLAN and satellite enabled device.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the WLAN position estimate system is a metro wide WLAN positioning system.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the metro wide WLAN position estimate system uses public and private access points.