HK1159928A - Method and system for physical map-assisted wireless access point locating - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for physical map assisted wireless access point positioning

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and system for physical map assisted wireless access point positioning.

Background

Mobile location services are becoming a new type of value-added services provided by mobile communication networks. LBS is a mobile service that uses user location information to implement various LBS applications, such as E-911 (enhanced 911), location 411, location-based messaging, and/or location-based buddy finding services. The location of the mobile device may be determined in a variety of ways, such as using network-based techniques, using terminal-based techniques, and/or a hybrid technique that combines the foregoing techniques. Many positioning techniques, such as TOA (Time of Arrival), OTDOA (Observed Time Difference of Arrival), E-OTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference), and GNSS (Global navigation satellite System) such as GPS, GLONASS (Glonass Global navigation satellite System), Galileo (Galileo satellite positioning System), and/or A-GNSS (assisted GNSS), can be used to estimate the location (latitude and longitude) of a mobile device and convert it to meaningful X, Y coordinates for use by LBS applications as well. a-GNSS technology combines satellite positioning with communication networks, such as mobile networks, to reach a performance level that allows wide-scale deployment of LBS.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and/or system for physical map assisted wireless access point positioning, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of communication, the method comprising:

performing, by one or more processors and/or circuits in a mobile device, the steps of:

receiving a server assisted location of the wireless access point from a remote location server comprising a reference database; and

modifying the received server-assisted location of the wireless access point using a physical map or image.

Preferably, the wireless access point is a WiFi access point or a bluetooth access point.

Preferably, the method further comprises obtaining the physical map or image of a map-assisted location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the method further comprises generating an effective location of the wireless access point based on the received server assisted location and the map assisted location.

Preferably, the method further comprises comparing the map assisted location and the received server assisted location to generate a valid location for the wireless access point.

Preferably, based on the comparison, the server assisted location or the map assisted location is used as the valid location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the method further comprises correcting the received server assisted position using the obtained map assisted position of the wireless access point based on the comparison.

Preferably, the revised server assisted position is used as the effective position of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the method further comprises sending the revised server assisted position of the wireless access point to the remote location server.

Preferably, the remote location server updates the reference database with the received revised server assisted location of the wireless access point.

According to one aspect of the invention, the invention proposes a system for communication, comprising:

one or more processors and/or circuitry for use in a mobile device, the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

receiving a server assisted location of the wireless access point from a remote location server comprising a reference database; and

modifying the received server-assisted location of the wireless access point using a physical map or image.

Preferably, the wireless access point is a WiFi access point or a bluetooth access point.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to obtain the physical map or image of a map-assisted location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to generate a valid location for the wireless access point based on the received server assisted location and the map assisted location.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to compare the map-assisted location and the received server-assisted location to generate a valid location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, based on the comparison, the server assisted location or the map assisted location is used as the valid location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, based on the comparison, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to modify the received server assisted location using the obtained map assisted location of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the revised server assisted position is used as the effective position of the wireless access point.

Preferably, the one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to transmit the revised server assisted position of the wireless access point to the remote location server.

Preferably, the remote location server updates the reference database with the received revised server assisted location of the wireless access point.

The various advantages, aspects, novel features, and details of embodiments thereof may be more completely understood from the following description and drawings, the details of which are set forth in the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication system that corrects the location of wireless access points using physical maps or images, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device utilizing a physical map or image to correct a server-assisted location of a wireless access point in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary location server based on a physical map or image revision reference database, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary steps used by a mobile device to correct a server-assisted location of a wireless access point using a physical map or image, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps for use of a location server to correct a server assisted location of a wireless access point using a physical map or image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for physical map assisted wireless access point positioning. In various embodiments of the present invention, a mobile device may be used to receive a server-assisted location of a wireless access point from a remote location server that includes a reference database used to track location information of the corresponding communication device. The mobile device may be used to correct a received server-assisted location of the wireless access point using a physical map or image that includes various details, such as natural ground markings and/or object features within a geographic area. The wireless access point may connect with the mobile device over the internet, for example, using WiFi or bluetooth technology. In this regard, the mobile device may obtain a physical map or image from, for example, the internet for a map-assisted location of the wireless access point. Generating an effective location of the wireless access point based on the received server assisted location and the map assisted location. The mobile device may compare the consistency of the map-assisted location and the received server-assisted location. In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize the received server assisted location or the map assisted location as the valid location of the wireless access point when the received server assisted location coincides with the map assisted location of the wireless access point. Otherwise, the mobile device may be used to correct the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location, and the result of correcting the server-assisted location may be used as the effective location of the wireless access point. In addition, the mobile device may be used to send the revised server-assisted location of the wireless access point to a remote location server to revise or update the location information of the wireless access point in the corresponding reference database.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary communication system that corrects the location of wireless access points using physical maps or images, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; referring to the communication system 100 shown in fig. 1, the communication system 100 comprises a plurality of mobile devices 110, represented by mobile devices 112 and 116, a plurality of wireless access points 120, such as wireless access point 122 and 126, the internet 130, a physical map or image 140, a mobile core network 150, a positioning server 160 comprising a reference database 162, an SRN170 (satellite reference network) and a GNSS satellite infrastructure 180. The satellite infrastructure 180 includes a plurality of GNSS satellites as represented by GNSS satellites 182 and 184.

A mobile device, such as mobile device 112, may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive services provided by internet 130 and/or mobile core network 150. For example, mobile device 112 may be used to access the Internet 130 via a wireless access point, such as wireless access point 122, using, for example, WiFi and/or Bluetooth technology. Depending on the capabilities of the device, the Mobile device 112 may be configured to communicate with the Mobile core network 150 using, for example, CDMA, GSM, UMTS (Universal Mobile communications System), LTE (Long Term Evolution) and WiMAX (Worldwide interoperability for Microwave Access) Access technologies.

Mobile device 112 may be used to acquire or identify wireless access points encountered within a particular geographic area. In one embodiment, where the mobile device 112 requires the location of an identified wireless access point, such as wireless access point 122, for LBS applications, the mobile device 112 may be used to obtain the location of the wireless access point 122 from various resources, such as the location server 160 and/or the internet 130. For example, mobile device 112 may be used to determine the location of wireless access point 122 using A-GNSS data received by location server 160. Mobile device 122 may also be used to identify the location of wireless access point 122 in a physical map or image 140, physical map or image 140 being provided by, for example, internet 130, a television broadcast network, and/or a fm broadcast network. The physical map or image 140 may also be a buffered copy in the mobile device 112. Mobile device 112 is used to compare two locations, a map-assisted location and a server-assisted location, to determine a valid location for wireless access point 122. In this regard, in one embodiment, the server assisted location and the map assisted location may be consistent, and the mobile device 122 may select either the server assisted location or the map assisted location as the effective location of the wireless access point 122 to support the LBS application. In one embodiment, the server-assisted location and the map-assisted location may not be consistent, and the mobile device 112 may be used to modify or update the server-assisted location with the map-assisted location and/or some user experience-related information including, for example, information related to the most recent knowledge of the geographic area encountered by the mobile device 122. The server assisted position correction may be used by the mobile device 112 as an effective position for the wireless access point 122 to enhance performance of the LBS. In addition, mobile device 112 may be used to send the revised server assisted position to location server 160 to revise the corresponding position information for wireless access point 122 in reference database 162.

A wireless access point, such as wireless access point 122, may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable connecting a wireless communication device to a wireless or wired network using Wi-Fi, bluetooth or related standards. Wireless access point 122 may be used to perform the functions of a central transmitter and receiver of a wireless local area network. The wireless access point 122 may be used to provide data services, such as LBS applications, to wireless local area network enabled communication devices, such as the mobile device 112 and 116, using wireless local area network technology. In this regard, the location of the wireless access point 122 is required for LBS applications, such as location-based access control. The location of wireless access point 122 may appear in physical map or image 140 and/or track the location of wireless access point 122 in reference database 162 via location server 160.

The Internet 130 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable data communications using IP (Internet protocols). The Internet 130 may transmit various data services such as IMS (Internet Map Service) to a user, allowing the user to view, for example, a physical Map or image 140. In particular, the internet 130 is used to enable a user to identify objects appearing in a physical map or image 140 and view corresponding locations using IMS.

The mobile core network 150 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to connect various access networks, such as a CDMA network, a UMTS network and/or a WiMAX network, to external data networks, such as PDNs (packet data networks) and/or the internet 130. The mobile core network 150 may be used to deliver various data services provided by external data networks to associated users, such as the mobile device 112 and 116. In one embodiment, where the LBS application is provided to a user, such as the mobile device 112, the mobile core network 150 may be used to communicate with the location server 160 with location information as needed for the LBS application.

The positioning server 160 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to access the SRN170 to collect GNSS satellite data by tracking a GNSS constellation traversing the SRN 170. The positioning server 160 may be used to generate a-GNSS data including, for example, ephemeris data, LTO (Local time offset) data, reference location, and/or time information using the collected GNSS satellite data. The location server 160 may be used to collect and/or retrieve location information from respective users, such as the wireless access point 122 and/or the mobile device 112 and 116. For example, location server 160 may be used to retrieve and/or track location information for wireless access point 122 from mobile device 112 and 114. The retrieved location of the wireless access point 122 may be stored in the reference database 162 for sharing among the respective mobile devices, such as the mobile device 116. Location server 160 may be used to transmit the stored location of wireless access point 122 to mobile device 116 as a-GNSS data, if necessary. In this regard, the location server 160 may be used to determine a server-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 using the reference database 162. The location server 160 may also be used to identify map-assisted locations of wireless access points 122 through, for example, physical maps or images 140. Location server 160 may verify the server assisted location using the map assisted location of the identified wireless access point 122. In the event that the server-assisted location and the map-assisted location are consistent, the positioning server 160 may select either the server-assisted location or the map-assisted location to be shared among the respective mobile devices, such as mobile device 116, as the valid location of the wireless access point 122. In the event that the server-assisted location and the map-assisted location are inconsistent, the positioning server 160 may modify or update the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location and/or some user experience-related information, including, for example, related information such as the most recent knowledge of the geographic area encountered by the mobile device 116. The server assisted position fix may be used by the positioning server 160 as a valid position for the wireless access point 122 to support LBS performance. The corrected server-assisted position may be used to correct the corresponding position information of wireless access point 122 in reference database 162. The reference database 162 may be modified or updated using the obtained location information.

The SRN170 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable continuous collection and/or distribution of data for GNSS satellites. The SRN170 may include a plurality of GNSS reference tracking stations located throughout the world to provide full-time a-GNSS coverage for both the home network and/or any visited network.

The GNSS satellites 182, 184 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to generate and broadcast satellite navigation information. The broadcast satellite navigation information may be collected by the SRN170, and the location server 160 may utilize the broadcast satellite navigation information to enhance LBS performance. The GNSS satellites 182-.

In a typical embodiment, a mobile device, such as mobile device 112, may be used to identify wireless access points, such as wireless access point 122, encountered within a geographic area of interest. Mobile device 112 may be operable to send a request to location server 160 to obtain location information for the identified wireless access point (wireless access point 122). As feedback, location server 160 may determine the location of wireless access point 122 using reference database 162. The determined location, i.e., the server assisted location of the wireless access point 122, may be sent as a-GNSS data to the mobile device 112 via the mobile core network 160. The mobile device 112 may access, for example, the internet 130 or a physical map and image 140 provided by a buffered copy of the mobile device 112. The physical map and image 140 may include location information, i.e., map-assisted locations, for the wireless access points 122. In one embodiment, the server assisted location of the wireless access point 122 and the map assisted location may be consistent, and the mobile device 112 may be operable to select either the assistance map location or the assistance server location as the effective location of the wireless access point 122, which may be used to support LBS applications such as location based access control. Otherwise, mobile device 112 may be used to correct the server-assisted location using map-assisted location and/or user experience-related information (e.g., knowledge of the geographic area recently encountered by wireless access point 122). The corrected server assisted position may be used as a valid position for the wireless access point 122 in order to improve LBS performance. In addition, mobile device 112 may be used to transmit the server assisted location of modified wireless access point 122 to location server 160 to facilitate modifying reference database 162.

In a typical operation, location server 160 may be used to provide location information of wireless access point 122 to mobile device 112 and 114 when desired. The server assisted location of wireless access point 122 is determined using reference database 162. The server assisted location may be verified using other resources, such as a physical map or image 140. In this regard, the positioning server 160 may be used to identify map-assisted locations of the wireless access points 122 in the physical map or image 140. Location server 160 may compare the server assisted location of wireless access point 122 to the map assisted location. In one embodiment, the server-assisted location and the map-assisted location are coincident, and either the server-assisted location or the map-assisted location may be selected as the effective location of wireless access point 122. Otherwise, the location server 160 may modify or update the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location and/or some user experience-related information, including information related to, for example, knowledge of the nearest geographic region of the wireless access point 122. The location server 160 may utilize the server assisted correction of position as an effective position for the wireless access point 122 to support the LBS application and the correction reference database 162.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device utilizing a physical map or image to correct a server-assisted location of a wireless access point in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; referring to the mobile device 200 shown in fig. 2, the mobile device 200 includes a wireless local area network transceiver 202, a cellular transceiver 204, a WiMAX transceiver 206, a local access point database 208, a host processor 210, and a memory 212.

The wireless local area network transceiver 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable receiving and/or transmitting radio frequency signals using wireless local area network technology. Wireless local area network transceiver 202 may be used to receive various data services, such as IMS, that are provided by internet 130 through a WLAN connection with, for example, wireless access point 122. The wireless local area network transceiver 202 may be configured to allow a user to view, for example, a physical map or image 140 via IMS.

The cellular transceiver 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicate with the mobile core network 150 using various cellular access technologies such as CDMA, GSM, UMTS and/or LTE. The cellular transceiver 204 may receive various data services provided by the mobile core network 150, such as LBS applications. The cellular transceiver 204 may communicate with the location server 160 for location information, such as the location of the wireless access point 122, to support LBS applications used in the mobile device 200. The cellular transceiver 204 may be used to provide the revised location information to the positioning server 160 for updating the reference database 162.

The WiMAX transceiver 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicate with the mobile core network 150 using WiMAX access technologies. The WiMAX transceiver 206 may receive various data services provided by the mobile core network 150, such as LBS applications. The WiMAX transceiver 206 may be used to communicate with the positioning server 160 for location information such as the location of the wireless access point 122 to support LBS applications used in the mobile device 200. WiMAX206 may be used to provide the revised position information to the positioning server 160 for updating the reference database 162.

The local access point database 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable management and storage of data including location information for wireless access points encountered by the mobile device 200. The contents of the local access point database 208 may provide valid location information for encountered wireless access points. The local access point database 208 may be updated or revised as needed, periodically, or aperiodically.

The host processor 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable managing and/or controlling the operation of the respective device component units, such as the wlan transceiver 202, the cellular transceiver 204, the WiMAX transceiver 206 and the local access point database 208, depending on the usage scenario. For example, the main processor 210 may be used to activate or deactivate one or more corresponding radio frequency devices, such as the wireless local area network transceiver 202 and/or the cellular transceiver 204, to achieve the basic need for power savings. The main processor 210 may be used to verify information received from different resources. For example, the main processor 210 may be used to receive a physical map or image 140 from the internet 130 through the wireless local area network transceiver 202. The main processor 210 may generate a map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 using the received physical map or image 140.

The host processor 210 may also be used to receive A-GNSS data from the positioning server 160 via the cellular transceiver 204 and/or the WiMAX transceiver 206. The received data for the a-GNSS may include a server-assisted location of wireless access point 122. The main processor 210 may be used to compare the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location to determine the effective location of the wireless access point 122. In one embodiment, the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location are coincident, and the main processor 210 may alternatively use either the map-assisted location or the server-assisted location as the effective location of the wireless access point 122. Otherwise, the main processor 210 may be used to revise the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location and/or some user experience-related information including information related to knowledge of the most recent geographic region encountered by the mobile device 200. The corrected server assisted position may be used as an effective position for the wireless access point 122 to improve LBS performance. In addition, the main processor 210 may be used to communicate the revised server assisted position of the wireless access point 122 to the positioning server 160 to update the location information of the wireless access point in the reference database 162.

The memory 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as executable instructions and data that may be utilized by the host processor 210 and/or other corresponding device components such as the wireless local area network transceiver 202 and the cellular transceiver 204. Memory 212 may include RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

In an exemplary embodiment, the main processor 210 may be used to manage and/or control the operation of, for example, the wireless local area network transceiver 202 and the cellular transceiver 204 depending on the respective use cases. The main processor 210 is used to verify information received from different resources. For example, in one embodiment where location information for wireless access point 122 is needed for location-based access control, various resources such as internet 130, fm radio, and/or location server 160 may be used to provide location information for wireless access point 122 to mobile device 200. For example, the internet 130 may be used to provide map-assisted locations of wireless access points to the mobile device 200 using a physical map or image 140. Location server 160 may provide a server-assisted location of wireless access point 122 to mobile device 200 using a-GNSS data. The main processor 210 may be used to compare the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location to determine the effective location of the wireless access point 122. In one embodiment, the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location are consistent, and the main processor 210 may use either the map-assisted location or the server-assisted location as the effective location of the wireless access point 122. Otherwise, the main processor 210 may be used to revise the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location and/or some user experience-related information including, for example, knowledge of the most recent geographic region encountered by the mobile device 200. The server assisted position correction can be used as the effective position of wireless access point 122. In addition, the main processor 210 may be used to communicate the revised server assisted position of the wireless access point to the location server 160 to update the reference database 162.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an exemplary positioning server based on a physical map or image revision reference database according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to the location server 300 shown in fig. 3, the location server 300 may include a processor 302, a reference database 304, and a memory 306.

The processor 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable management and control of the operations of the reference database 304 and the memory 306. Processor 302 may be used to communicate with SRN 150 (satellite reference network) to collect GNSS satellite data by tracking GNSS constellations traversing SRN 150. The processor 302 may use the collected GNSS satellite data to build a reference database 304, and the reference database 304 may be connected internally or externally to the positioning server 300. The processor 302 may be used to retrieve or collect location information from respective users, including, for example, the mobile device 112 and/or the wireless access point 122. The collected location information is stored in the reference database 304 for easy sharing among the respective users at any time. For example, in one embodiment, where a location of wireless access point 122 is desired, processor 302 may be used to determine a server-assisted location of wireless access point 122 using reference database 304. The processor 302 may verify the server assisted location using other resources, such as a physical map or image 140. In this regard, the processor 302 may be used to identify a map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 in the physical map or image 140. Processor 302 may compare the server assisted location of wireless access point 122 to the map assisted location. In one embodiment, where the server-assisted location and the map-assisted location are consistent, processor 302 may be used to select either the server-assisted location or the map-assisted location as the effective location of wireless access point 122. Otherwise, processor 302 may modify or update the server-assisted location using the assistance map location and/or other information, including relevant information such as recent knowledge of the geographic area of wireless access point 122. The server-assisted location fix may be used to share and fix the reference database 304 among the respective users as the effective location of the wireless access point 122. Processor 302 can be employed to communicate at least a portion of the stored location information to, for example, mobile device 200 on an occasional or periodic basis as desired.

The reference database 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of location information for a corresponding communication device, such as the wireless access point 122. The stored location information may be provided to a corresponding communication device, such as the mobile device 112, to support LBS applications, such as location-based access control. The location database 304 may manage and update the stored location information on an irregular or regular basis as needed.

The memory 306 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage of information such as executable instructions and data that may be utilized by the processor 302 and/or other corresponding component elements such as the reference database 304. Memory 306 may include RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage.

In an exemplary embodiment, processor 302 may be used to collect GNSS satellite data via SRN 150 to build reference database 304. The processor 302 may also be used to collect or track location information from a plurality of corresponding communication devices, such as the mobile device 112 and 116. The collected GNSS satellite data and/or location information may be used to build and/or update the reference database 304. Upon receiving one or more requests for the location of wireless access point 122 from, for example, mobile device 112, processor 302 may be used to generate a server-assisted location of wireless access point 122 using reference database 304. In this regard, the server assisted location may be verified using other available resources, such as a physical map or image 140. In this regard, the processor 302 may be used to identify map-assisted locations of the wireless access points 122 in the physical map or image 140. The server assisted location may be compared to the map assisted location of the wireless access point 122. In one embodiment, the server assisted location and the map assisted location are consistent, and either the server assisted location or the map assisted location may be utilized by processor 302 as valid locations for wireless access points 122, otherwise, the server assisted location may be modified or updated by processor 302 using the map assisted location and/or other relevant information including relevant information such as recent knowledge of the geographic area of wireless access points 122. Processor 302 may transmit the revised server-assisted position of wireless access point 122 to mobile device 112 as a-GNSS data.

Fig. 4 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps used by a mobile device to correct a server-assisted location of a wireless access point using a physical map or image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 4, exemplary steps may begin at step 402, where mobile device 200 may be used to identify wireless access points encountered within a particular geographic area, such as wireless access point 122, at step 402. In step 404, mobile device 200 may send a request to location server 160 to obtain location information for wireless access point 122, if desired. For example, in one embodiment, mobile device 200 may be used to obtain a server-assisted location of wireless access point 122 using a buffered copy of the location information of wireless access point 122 previously obtained by mobile device 200 from location server 160 when the buffered copy is available. In response, the location server 300 may be used to generate a server assisted location of the wireless access point 122 using at least a portion of the reference database 304 in step 406.

In step 408, the positioning server 300 may be used to transmit the generated server assisted position of the wireless access point 122 to the mobile device 200 as A-GNSS data. In step 410, the mobile device 200 may be used to obtain a physical map 140 of a particular geographic area from, for example, the Internet 130. In step 412, the main processor 210 of the mobile device 112 is used to determine a map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 using the acquired physical map or image 140. In step 414, the mobile device 112 may determine whether the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location are consistent. When the map-assisted location of the wireless access point and the server-assisted location are inconsistent, proceeding to step 416, the mobile device 112 may be used to revise the server-assisted location using the determined map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 and/or some user experience-related information, including information related to recently encountered knowledge of the geographic area. The server assisted position correction results may be used as valid positions for the wireless access point 122 for LBS applications such as location based access control. In step 418, the mobile device 112 may use the revised server assisted location as the valid location for the wireless access point 122 and send to the location server 300. In step 420, location server 300 may modify the server assisted location of wireless access point 122 to update reference database 304. The exemplary steps may end at step 422.

When the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location of the wireless access point are consistent in step 414, then in step 424, the mobile device 200 can utilize either the map-assisted location or the server-assisted location as the effective location of the wireless access point 122. The exemplary steps return to step 402.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps for use of a location server to correct a server assisted location of a wireless access point using a physical map or image in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 5, exemplary steps may begin at step 502, and in step 502, the positioning server 300 may be used to generate a server assisted location of a wireless access point, such as wireless access point 122, located within a particular geographic area using the reference database 304. In step 504, the positioning server 300 may obtain or access a physical map, such as the physical map or image 140, of a particular geographic area. In step 506, the positioning server 300 may be used to determine a map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 using the physical map or image 140. In step 508, the positioning server 300 may determine whether the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location are consistent. When the map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 is inconsistent with the server-assisted location, proceeding to step 510, the positioning server 300 may modify the server-assisted location using the map-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 and/or related other information, including information related to knowledge of the recently encountered geographic area of the wireless access point 122. In step 512, the positioning server 300 may be used to update the reference database 304 with the revised server assisted location of the wireless access point 122. The exemplary steps may end at step 514.

In step 508, when the map-assisted location and the server-assisted location of the wireless access point 122 are consistent, then exemplary steps may return to step 502.

In various exemplary embodiments of methods and systems for physical map assisted wireless access point positioning, a mobile device, such as mobile device 200, may be used to receive a server assisted location of a wireless access point of interest, such as wireless access point 122, from a remote positioning server, such as positioning server 300. The location server 300 includes a reference database 304 to track location information of the corresponding communication device, such as the wireless access point 122. Mobile device 200 may modify the received server assisted location of wireless access point 122 using a physical map or image, such as physical map or image 140. Wireless access point 122 may connect mobile device 200 and internet 130 using WiFi or bluetooth technology. In this regard, mobile device 200 may be used to obtain a physical map or image 140 using, for example, the IMS, which is provided by internet 130, to obtain a map-assisted location of wireless access point 122. An effective location of wireless access point 122 may be generated based on the received server assisted location and map assisted location. The mobile device 200 may be used to compare the consistency of the map-assisted location and the received server-assisted location. In one embodiment, where the received server-assisted location coincides with a map-assisted location of wireless access point 122, mobile device 200 may be used to select either the received server-assisted location or the map-assisted location as the valid location of wireless access point 122. Otherwise, the mobile device 200 may be used to correct the server-assisted location using map-assisted locations. The server assisted position correction can be used as the effective position of wireless access point 122. Further, mobile device 200 may be used to send the revised server assisted position of wireless access point 122 to location server 300 to revise or update the location information of wireless access point 122 in reference database 304.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitory computer-readable storage and/or medium having stored thereon a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer for causing the machine and/or the computer to perform the steps described above to implement physical map assisted wireless access point positioning.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be practiced in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where elements are spread across different interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system, or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein, is suited to use the invention. An example of a combination of hardware and software can be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention can also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to other languages, code or notation; b) regenerated in other forms.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. A method for communication, the method comprising:

performing, by one or more processors and/or circuits in a mobile device, the steps of:

receiving a server assisted location of the wireless access point from a remote location server comprising a reference database; and

modifying the received server-assisted location of the wireless access point using a physical map or image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless access point is a WiFi access point or a bluetooth access point.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining the physical map or image of a map-assisted location of the wireless access point.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising generating an effective location of the wireless access point based on the received server assisted location and the map assisted location.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising comparing the map-assisted location and the received server-assisted location to generate a valid location for the wireless access point.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the server-assisted location or the map-assisted location is used as a valid location for the wireless access point based on the comparison.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising correcting the received server assisted location using the obtained map assisted location of the wireless access point based on the comparison.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the revised server assisted position is used as a valid position for the wireless access point.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising sending the revised server assisted position of the wireless access point to the remote location server.

10. A system for communication, the system comprising:

one or more processors and/or circuitry for use in a mobile device, the one or more processors and/or circuitry to:

receiving a server assisted location of the wireless access point from a remote location server comprising a reference database; and

modifying the received server-assisted location of the wireless access point using a physical map or image.