Continuous data optimization of new access points in positioning systems
First Claim
1. A method of utilizing WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in an area, the method comprising:
- a) receiving information identifying observed WiFi access points within range of a WiFi-enabled device;
b) identifying one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which a reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location;
c) determining an estimated position of the WiFi-enabled device from one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying the corresponding recorded location;
d) determining location information for the WiFi access points identified in act (b) for which the reference database has no information specifying the corresponding recorded location, based at least in part on the estimated position determined for the WiFi-enabled device in act (c) from the one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying the corresponding recorded location;
e) inform the reference database of the WiFi access points identified in act (b) and the location information determined in act (d).
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems of continuously optimizing data in WiFi positioning systems. A location-based services system uses WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in a target area to indicate whether a WiFi access point is newly-observed. A WiFi-enabled device communicates with WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device so that observed WiFi access points identify themselves. A reference database is accessed to obtain information specifying a recorded location for each observed WiFi access point in the target area. Observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location are identified. The recorded location information for each of the observed WiFi access points is used to calculate the position of the WiFi-enabled device. The reference database is informed of the WiFi access points (for which there was no information in the database) and is provided the calculated position in conjunction therewith.
284 Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method of utilizing WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in an area, the method comprising:
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a) receiving information identifying observed WiFi access points within range of a WiFi-enabled device; b) identifying one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which a reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location; c) determining an estimated position of the WiFi-enabled device from one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying the corresponding recorded location; d) determining location information for the WiFi access points identified in act (b) for which the reference database has no information specifying the corresponding recorded location, based at least in part on the estimated position determined for the WiFi-enabled device in act (c) from the one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying the corresponding recorded location; e) inform the reference database of the WiFi access points identified in act (b) and the location information determined in act (d). - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of utilizing WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in an area, the method comprising:
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a) receiving observation information for a WiFi-enabled device having observed WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device, the observation information including information identifying observed WiFi access points and corresponding observed signal information characterizing radio signals of the observed WiFi access points received by the WiFi-enabled device; b) accessing a reference database to obtain information specifying a recorded location for one or more of the observed WiFi access points; c) identifying one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location; d) determining a set of possible estimated positions of at least one of the WiFi access points identified in act (c) based at least in part on the recorded location information from act (b) and the observed signal information; e) applying a smoothing algorithm to the set of possible estimated positions of act (d) to form a subset of possible estimated positions of the at least one of the WiFi access points identified in act (c); and f) informing the reference database of the at least one of the WiFi access points identified in act (c) and of a corresponding estimated position of the at least one WiFi access points based on the subset of possible estimated positions of the at least one of the WiFi access points. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for utilizing WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in an area, the system comprising:
a computer memory store comprising instructions in computer readable form that when executed cause a computer system to a) receive information identifying observed WiFi access points within range of a WiFi-enabled device; b) identify one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which a reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location; c) determine an estimated position of the WiFi-enabled device based on one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying corresponding recorded location; and d) determine location information for the identified WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying the corresponding recorded location based at least in part on the estimated position determined for the WiFi-enabled device from the one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has information specifying the corresponding recorded location; and e) inform the reference database of the identified WiFi access points and the location information. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A system for utilizing WiFi-enabled devices to monitor WiFi access points in an area, the system comprising:
a computer memory store comprising instructions in computer readable form that when executed cause a system to a) receive observation information for a WiFi-enabled device having observed WiFi access points within range of the WiFi-enabled device, the observation information including information identifying observed WiFi access points and corresponding observed signal information characterizing radio signals of the observed WiFi access points received by the WiFi-enabled device; b) access a reference database to obtain information specifying a recorded location for one or more of the observed WiFi access points; c) identify one or more of the observed WiFi access points for which the reference database has no information specifying a corresponding recorded location; d) determine a set of possible estimated positions of at least one of the identified WiFi access points based at least in part on the accessed recorded location information and the observed signal information; e) apply a smoothing algorithm to the determined set of possible estimated positions to form a subset of possible estimated positions of the at least one of the identified WiFi access points; and f) inform the reference database of the at least one of the identified WiFi access points and of a corresponding estimated position of the at least one of the WiFi access points based on the subset of possible estimated positions of the at least one of the WiFi access points. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
Specification